Subedar Shaista Khan is an important character in the history of the Mughal Empire. His life, military strategy, administrative skills and social contributions played an important role in the expansion of the Mughal empire in the Bengal region. His actions and policies led to the stability and development of the empire in the Bengal region. This report will analyze various aspects of Shaista Khan’s life.

Shaista Khan was a famous subedar or provincial ruler of Bengal during the Mughal period. His fame is mainly as Subadar of Bengal. He ruled Bengal for a total of 22 years in two terms. He was the maternal uncle of Emperor Aurangzeb. First from 1664 to 1678 and second time from 1680 to 1688. During his reign, Dhaka prospered greatly and the best period of Mughal rule was passed in this province. During his reign, 8 maunds of rice were available for a rupee. One of its notable achievements was the conquest of Chittagong by the Mughals. In 1660 he was sent to take part in the struggle against the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. However, he was defeated in a surprise attack and lost one of his sons. He then left Pune and shifted his camp to Aurangabad. He defeated the British in the Anglo-Mughal war.

Mirza Abu Talib’s ancestors came from Persia (now Iran) and had ties to the Mughal royal family. Mirza’s father Abul Asraf Asaf Beg [(Asaf Khan)-title] Shaista Khan’s grandfather Mirza Ghiyas Beg Itimaduddaula both served as Wazirs or Prime Ministers of the Mughal Empire. Emperor Shah Jahan conferred the title of Shaista Khan on Mirza Abu Talib. This was due to his family’s contribution and recognition in the Mughal court. Shaista Khan trained and served in the Mughal army and court. As a result, he gradually rose through the ranks and became the governor of several provinces. He also established himself as a successful general.

He became close to Prince Aurangzeb during the war against the Emperor of Golconda. After his accession to the empire, Emperor Aurangzeb promoted him further and appointed him as Amir-ul-Umara or Chief of the Nobles. He conferred this title on Aurangzeb as part of his program against his own brother Dara Shiko. After the death of Mir Jumla in 1663 AD, Shaista Khan was appointed as Subadar of Bengal.

Subedar Shaista Khan was born in 1611. His father, Shaista Khan, was an influential official in the Mughal Empire. Shaista Khan’s family was an educated and high class family, which played an important role in her educational development. His early education was completed under the tutelage of his father and various Mughal rulers. Through his education and training, he became proficient in the military and administrative affairs of the Mughal Empire.

Shaista Khan’s military career was very successful. He led various important battles of the Mughal Empire for his bravery and strategic skill. In 1636, after the death of his father Shaista Khan, Shaista Khan succeeded his father. His military leadership increased the power of the Mughal Empire in the Bengal region. He was appointed as the Governor of Bengal and under his leadership the security and stability of the Mughal Empire was maintained.

After Aurangzeb’s accession to the Mughal throne in 1659, he sent Shaista Khan as Viceroy of the Deccan, so that the Mughals could enforce the treaty signed with the Adil Shahi of Bijapur. By this treaty, the Adilshahi ceded the territory it had previously captured from the Ahmadnagar Sultanate to the Mughals. However, this territory was also fiercely contested by the Maratha ruler, Shivaji, who rose to prominence after the assassination of the Adilshahi general Afzal Khan in 1659.

After Shaista Khan was appointed as the Subedar of the Bengal region, he established peace and order in the Bengal region through his administrative skills. Many developmental projects were implemented during his regime. Various measures were taken for the development of agriculture, industry and commerce. His administrative policies led to social and economic development in the Bengal region. During his time, roads, bridges and other infrastructure were developed which improved the standard of living of the local people.

In December 1665, Shaista Khan launched an important military campaign against Chittagong, then the capital of Arakanese. There was a fierce naval battle at Sagar and later at Karnaphuli, in which the Mughals were victorious with the help of the Portuguese. After losing the battle, some soldiers of the Arakanese navy escaped and took shelter in some forts. But the fort was captured by Shaista Khan on 26th January 1666. He also re-established the Mughal Empire in Cooch Behar and Kampura.

Administrative Role**

Shaista Khan was appointed as Subedar of Bengal. Due to his administrative skills, peace and order prevailed in the Bengal region. Many developmental programs were carried out during his regime, including education, road construction and economic development.

Social and cultural contribution

Shaista Khan contributed not only in the military and administrative fields but also in the social and cultural fields. During his time, art, literature and culture flourished in the Bengal region. He preached the message of religious harmony and peace by building various religious institutions and mosques. Education and culture developed in the Bengal region during his rule.

Arriving in Bengal, Shaista Khan was seen suppressing rebellious hill tribes. Shaista Kha considered the Arakan king a great threat as they were rich in army and naval power. He immediately began to develop the Mughal navy. Within a year the fleet numbered around 300. He made diplomatic efforts to gain the support of the Dutch East India Company as well as Portugal. With the direct support of the Dutch army, Shaista Khan led the Mughals in the attack on Sandwip, which was held by the Arakans.

Shaista Khan had to face many challenges and adverse situations during her rule. Despite his administrative policies and military tactics, he faced resistance and rebellion for some time. Through his skill he faced these challenges and maintained order in the empire.

Aurangzeb appointed Shaista Khan to defeat Shivaji of the Deccan in 1660 AD. Shaista Khan pitched his tent in Pune and entered the compound surrounded by tight security. No Maratha person had access to the city of Pune. One day, Shivaji and his army entered Pune with a wedding ceremony, taking special permission to celebrate the festival. After killing the guards, they broke the wall and entered the house. Shivaji himself confronted Shaista Khan and was amputated by Shivaji’s sword which amputated three of his fingers including his thumb. Shaista Khan was later rescued and taken to a safe place by his subordinates. Angered by the incident at Pune, Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan to a distant place in Bengal.

At last Shaista Khan left Dhaka and returned to Delhi. Before leaving, he established Dhaka as a local trade, political and cultural center. With his benevolence, Dhaka grew from a small official center to a large and prosperous city. The Shaista Khan Mosque is one of his great achievements which was built on the grounds of his palace. A mixture of Bengali and Mughal architecture, this historic monument is now preserved by the Bangladesh government.

Aurangzeb appointed Shaista Khan to defeat Shivaji of the Deccan in 1660 AD. Shaista Khan pitched his tent in Pune and entered the compound surrounded by tight security. No Maratha person had access to the city of Pune. One day, Shivaji and his army entered Pune with a wedding ceremony, taking special permission to celebrate the festival. After killing the guards, they broke the wall and entered the house. Shivaji himself confronted Shaista Khan and was amputated by Shivaji’s sword which amputated three of his fingers including his thumb. Shaista Khan was later rescued and taken to a safe place by his subordinates. Angered by the Pune incident, Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan to a distant place in Bengal.

Architecture built by Shaesta Khan

Shaista Khan had his headquarters at Lalbagh in Dhaka. The architecture built by him in different places of old Dhaka is indicative of his love of architecture.

Threats and challengesal

lbagh Fort

Hossaini Dalan (Located in Bakshibazar)

Shaista Khan Mosque (located in Mitford)

small cut

Seven Domed Mosque (located in Mohammadpur)

Death and Succession

Shaista Khan died in 1758. After his death, his succession and policies of rule spread to various parts of the Mughal Empire. The activities of his reign are considered an important chapter in the history of the Mughal Empire. His name has been honored in history due to his administrative and military skills. An analysis of the life and work of Subedar Shaista Khan reveals that he was an important and influential figure in the Mughal Empire. His military, administrative and social contributions played an important role in the establishment and development of the Mughal Empire in the Bengal region. His skill and leadership marked a brilliant chapter in the history of the Mughal Empire.