Mughals and the Deccan: Political Relations with Ahmadnagar Kingdom

Most of the modern studies on the theme of relations of the Mughals with the Deccan kingdoms are centred around either on the Deccan policy of the Mughals or their political aims in the Deccan. But these studies do not fully explain the varied problems relating to the relations of the Mughal Empire with the Deccan kingdoms. The present work is an attempt to study the relations of the Mughal Empire with one of the Deccan states, namely Ahmadnagar, which from its very inception was involved in the complex pattern of relationship with its northern neighbours, viz. Khandesh, Gujarat and Malwa. Simultaneously, with its Southern neighbours, it was involved in mutual conflicts on one or the other issue. Because of their role played in the Deccan politics, the Nizam Shahi rulers attracted the active attention of the Mughal emperors from a very early date. In this work, the Mughals’ growing involvement in the affairs of the Deccan Kingdoms in the context of their relations with Ahmadnagar down to its final extinction, has been examined in the light of contemporary Persian texts and records. While dealing with the Mughal-Ahmadnagar relations, the role played by the Safawid rulers of Iran has also been examined in a separate chapter. Whether their official moves against Qandahar were really planned to divert the Mughal military pressure on the Deccan Kingdoms, is analysed in the light of a diplomatic correspondence available in the contemporary Persian chronicles and insha collections.