Fourth Afghan-Mughal War (1573–1576)

The Karrani dynasty was founded in 1564 by Taj Khan Karrani, an ethnic Pashtun from the Karlani Afghan tribe.Taj Khan was formerly an employee of the Afghan Emperor Sher Shah Suri. From 1562 to 1564, Taj Khan captured south-eastern Bihar and west Bengal, and with his assassination of the last Muhammed Shahi ruler, he seized all of Bengal.Taj Khan was followed by Sulaiman Khan Karrani. Daud Khan Karrani (reigned 1572–12 July 1576) was the youngest son of Sulaiman Khan Karrani. Daud was not content with the sultanate of Bengal. He dreamt of being a second Sher Shah Suri and to conquer the entire Indian subcontinent. But he had a formidable foe, Akbar the Great.

Invasion of Jamania
When Akbar was busy with his warfare in Gujarat, Daud Khan invaded Jamania near Ghazipur. The Afghan army razed the Jamania city to the ground and captured the Jamania fort. Akbar ordered the governor of Jaunpur, Munim Khan, to proceed against Daud. Munim Khan met his friend Ludi Khan, the Prime Minister of Daud, in Patna and settled in peace. The agreement pleased neither Akbar nor Daud. Ludi Khan was later punished to death by Daud.

Battle of Patna
In 1573 Munim Khan attacked Bihar which forced Daud to retreat and take shelter in Patna. Daud sent Katlu Lohani, Gujar Khan Karrani and Sri Hari against the Mughal army. Munim Khan along with Todar Mal and Mansingh made the first attack in Hajipur. After a fierce battle the Afghans became at the verge of victory. Akbar then captured the neighboring fort of Hajipur which was the source of rations for the Afghan army. The Afghans fell in a distress and retreated to Bengal. Akbar returned to the capital after appointing Munim Khan as the governor of Bihar and Bengal. Todar Mal was also left to assist him.

Battle of Tukaroi
On 3 March 1575 a fierce battle was fought between the Mughals and the Afghans in Tukaroi. The result was a draw and the Afghans retreated to Katak, Orissa. The Mughals captured Tanda, the Afghan capital of Bengal. Munim Khan transferred the capital of Bengal from Tanda to Gaur. In the treaty of Katak, Daud ceded Bengal and Bihar to the Mughals. But he retained only Orissa as his possession. Six months later there broke out a plague and Munim Khan suddenly died in October 1575. The Mughal army was repulsed from Eastern Bengal by Kalapahar and Isa Khan. Daud marched from Orissa to successfully recapture Gaur.

Battle of Rajmahal
Akbar sent a new army under the command of Khan Jahan Quli. He captured Teliagarhi and advanced towards Rajmahal. The two armies met in the battlefield of Rajmahal. The battle went on for many days. Akbar ordered the governor of Bihar, Muzaffar Khan Turbati and other generals to join. On the other side Daud was accompanied by other principal Afghan leaders like Junaid, Qutlu Khan and Kalapahar. After a fierce battle on 12 July 1576 Daud was finally defeated and executed.

After his death, Bengal went under direct Mughal rule as Subah with Subahdars being installed.