32 Facts About Hindal Mirza

Hindal Mirza was survived by his wife and his only daughter, the princess Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, who married his nephew, Akbar, and became a Mughal queen in 1556.

In 1537, Hindal Mirza married his cousin, Sultanam Begum, in Agra.

Hindal Mirza was the daughter of Muhammad Musa Khwaja and the younger sister of Mahdi Khwaja, who was Babur's brother-in-law, being the husband of his sister, Khanzada Begum.

Sultanam had been lovingly brought up by Hindal Mirza's childless aunt, Khanzada Begum, since she was a child and had been reared to become Hindal Mirza's wife in future.

At the time of his father's death in 1530, the eleven-year-old Hindal Mirza was serving as the viceroy of Kabul, and was the viceroy of Qandahar at a later time.

In 1537, Sher Shah Suri had gradually overrun all the countries on the southern or Behar side of the Ganges; and Muhammad Sultan Hindal Mirza, had raised the standard of revolt in the upper provinces.

Muhammad Sultan and Shah Hindal Mirza, encamping on the left bank of the river, used every exertion to obstruct the passage of the imperial army.

Hindal eager to engage the enemy before Ulugh Mirza could join them, having discovered a fort ten miles above Kannauj, left his camp standing, and effected a passage, unobserved, with all his troops.

Hindal Mirza overtook them at Oudh where Muhammad Sultan and his sons, having concentrated all their forces, halted to check his advance.

Muhammad Sultan Mirza, and three of his sons, fled to Kuch-Behar; while Hindal Mirza, following up on his advantage went on to Juanpur.

Hindal Mirza, who was now twenty years old, misled by the counselors who so often surround an aspiring prince, and incite him to sacrifice every duty for his own ambitions, on his arrival to Agra, entered the city, took possession of the Emperor's palace, issued his orders as if vested with absolute power, and seemed to direct his views to the throne itself.

Hindal Mirza pointed out that it was a moment when, instead of destroying everything by discord and disunion, it was essential that every friend of the House of Timur, should exert himself, to break the rapidly increasing power of Sher Khan and the Pashtuns.

Nur-ud-din wrote to Hindal Mirza, announcing the arrival of these noblemen, and at the same time forwarded to him a petition from them, asking his favour and protection, and proffering their own duties and services.

Hindal Mirza's envoy, hearing of this movement, instead of first going to Yadgar, went straight to meet them.

The conspirators, finding that Hindal Mirza was irresolute or insincere, and being themselves desperate, told the envoy, explicitly, that their mind was made up; that they had forever shaken off their allegiance to the Emperor; that, if Hindal Mirza would assume the imperial dignity, and read the khutba in his own name, they were to be his most faithful subjects.

The envoy, returning to Hindal, reported what had passed, and added in his own opinion; that the Mirza was so far committed as to have only one of two measures to adopt.

Hindal Mirza agreed to accept to the proposal of the fugitive nobles and to raise the standard of rebellion.

Hindal Mirza, on hearing of his approach, went out and received him with much honour.

The weak and wavering mind of Hindal Mirza was shaken by these remonstrances of duty and wisdom.

Hindal Mirza had not yet made any irrevocable manifestation of his rebellious intentions, and was once more persuaded to return to his allegiance, and to join in an active effort to drive the common enemy out of the field, free his sovereign from distress and peril.

Unfortunately Nur-ud-din arrived while these measures were being expedited and he was able to destroy the whole effect of Sheikh Bhul's mission, and Hindal Mirza was persuaded once more to accept the support of the rebel nobles, for which they demanded the sacrifice of Sheikh Bhul as he had caused Hindal Mirza to break his former promises to them.

On Kamran's approach, Hindal Mirza withdrew to his own government at Alwar, but soon was persuaded to offer his submission, together with the rebel officers who were almost his sole adherents.

However, as soon as the negotiations were made, Hindal Mirza was at length authorized to reduce the district, and informed that the Emperor himself would soon visit the prince's camp.

The assailants took to flight, but Hindal Mirza had fallen in the fray.

Hindal Mirza started up, and hastened to meet and repel the assailants, having only his bow and arrow in hand.

Hindal Mirza's men had hurried away in confusion, to protect their horses from being plundered, therefore none of Hindal's immediate servants were with him.

Hindal Mirza soon met a Pashtun face to face, and so near that it was necessary to get close with him.

Hindal Mirza's body was left for some time unnoticed, where it fell.

Hindal Mirza did not stop at first, but pushed on towards the Pashtuns, till he recollected that Hindal had that evening put on a black cuirass.

Hindal Mirza's remains were conveyed first to Jui-Shahi and after a time, to the Gardens of Babur in Kabul, where they were interred at the feet of his father, Emperor Babur.

Hindal Mirza was thirty-two years of age at the time of his death.

Ghazni, which was one of Hindal Mirza's jagir, was given to his nephew, Akbar, to whom were transferred Hindal Mirza's army, adherents and wealth and his daughter, Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, was betrothed to Akbar.