Diler Khan
Mughal general
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Diler Khan Daudzai was a Mughal general who served under Aurangzeb and was the governor of Awadh. He is known for engaging in battle and killing Murarbaji, the military general of Shivaji and the in-charge of Purandar Forts.[1][2] His brother's name was Nawab Bahadur Khan.[3] Diler Khan and Bahadur Khan together established the famous district Shahjahanpur located in Uttar Pradesh.[4] He was also responsible for the Mughal victory over Shivaji in the Battle of Bhupalgarh.[5]
Diler Khan | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Diler Khan Daudzai. c.1686 | |
| Mughal subahdar of Awadh | |
| Monarch | Aurangzeb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | c. 1683 |
| Parent | Nawab Darya Khan Daudzai |
| Occupation | Subahdar, sipahsalar |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mughal Empire |
| Branch/service | Mughal Army |
| Years of service | 1660s-1683 |
| Rank | Mansabdar |
| Battles/wars | Mughal-Maratha Wars Battle of Bhupalgarh Battle of Purandar Battle of Salher |
Early life
He was born near Peshawar,[6][7] and was son of Nawab Darya Khan Rohilla, an Afghan who traced his descent to the Pashtun Daudzai tribe,[8] and a mansabdar who served under the Indian Muslim Mir Bakhshi, Shaikh Farid Bukhari in 1603.[9]
Campaign against Marathas
After previous attempts to overthrow Shivaji failed, Aurangzeb sent Jai Singh, his most senior general ("Mirza Raja"), along with Diler Khan to overthrow the Marathas and establish Mughal rule in the Deccan. Diler Khan insisted on capturing Purandar Fort. Jai Singh, who understood the challenge the campaign involved. He advised Diler Khan to move his army on Vajragarh. Purandar Fort was a short distance from Vajragarh. If Vajragarh was captured, the Mughal cannons could easily capture the Purandar Fort.[10]
On 13 April 1665, Diler Khan was successful in capturing Vajragarh. The Mughal army under Diler Khan and Jai Singh celebrated the victory over Vajragarh with booming of guns. Diler Khan then turned his attention to Purandar.
On 16 May 1665, Diler Khan faced Murarbaji, the in-charge of Purandar Fort. Murarbaji fought valiantly but was killed by Diler Khan's arrow.[11]