Period 1605 – 1606 Location Kandahar, Afghanistan | Result Mughal victory | |
Similar Battle of Thanesar, Siege of Ranthambore, Battle of Khajwa, Battle of Tukaroi, Siege of Golconda | ||
Background
The Mughals had obtained the city of Kandahar in 1595, after the Mughal army advanced to the city's governor, Moẓaffar-Ḥosayn Mirzā, and negotiated with him a surrender. The Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas, was shocked by the loss of the important fortress but as main Iranian concerns lay with the equally powerful Ottomans at their westernmost territories, he abstained from military action, preferring to negotiate a settlement.
Battle
When Emperor Akbar died on October 27, 1605, the Safavid governor of Herat, Hosayn Khan, moved to recapture the city on behalf of the Safavids while the Mughals were distracted from other matters. The city, defended by governor Šāh Beg Khan, held out the Safavid siege until the next year when the new Emperor, Jahangir, sent an army that lifted the siege.
Aftermath
Abbas repudiated Hosayn's actions in a letter to Jahangir, and both sides reestablished normal relations, though Kandahar would remain a controversial affair between both parties.