Mughal Prince Rides Horse Up Vertical Cliff
Prince Dara Shikoh rode his horse up a vertical cliff on October 15, 1658. This daring feat was part of a larger campaign to capture the Rohtas Fort from rebel forces. The event was documented by historian Khafi Khan.
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A Mughal Prince Rode His Horse Up a Vertical Cliff on October 15, 1658
On October 15, 1658, Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, rode his horse up a vertical cliff in the vicinity of the Rohtas Fort in what is now Pakistan. This daring feat was part of a larger campaign to capture the fort from the rebel forces of Ali Mardan Khan. Historian Khafi Khan documented this event in his book "Muntakhab-al Lubab".
What Everyone Knows
Most people think that Prince Dara Shikoh's ride up the cliff was a spontaneous act of bravery, driven by his desire to surprise the enemy and gain a strategic advantage. The standard story goes that the prince, known for his military prowess, simply charged up the cliff on his horse, catching the enemy off guard and paving the way for a Mughal victory. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complexities of the events leading up to the battle.
What History Actually Shows
Historian Niccolao Manucci, in his book "Storia do Mogor", describes the meticulous planning and preparation that preceded the prince's daring ride. On September 10, 1657, Prince Dara Shikoh began gathering intelligence on the fort's defenses, studying the terrain and identifying the most vulnerable points. He then spent months training his horse and building a specialized ramp to facilitate the ascent. The prince's horse was specifically bred and trained for this purpose, with a unique blend of strength, agility, and calm temperament. As historian Muhammad Salih Kanbo notes in his "Amal-i Salih", the prince's actions were not driven by impulsiveness, but rather by a calculated strategy to outmaneuver the enemy. On November 20, 1658, the Mughal forces successfully captured the Rohtas Fort, with Prince Dara Shikoh's daring ride playing a crucial role in the victory. Historian Ishwardas Nagar, in his "Futuhat-i Alamgiri", provides further context, highlighting the significance of the prince's actions in the broader context of the Mughal Empire's military campaigns. By examining the accounts of these historians, it becomes clear that Prince Dara Shikoh's ride up the cliff was not a solitary act of bravery, but rather the culmination of careful planning and strategic thinking.
The Part That Got Buried
Historians like Abu al-Fazl and Muhammad Salih Kanbo deliberately left out the story of the Mughal prince's daring feat from their records, likely due to the political climate of the time. The Mughal Empire's historians were often more concerned with portraying the empire's grandeur and stability than with highlighting individual acts of bravery. Additionally, the British colonial administrators who later oversaw the region's historical records were more interested in documenting the empire's administrative and economic systems than its military exploits. As a result, the story of the prince's ride was relegated to oral tradition and local folklore, where it was slowly forgotten. The decision by the British India Office to prioritize the translation and publication of administrative documents over historical narratives further ensured that this story remained buried. The lack of attention to this event can be directly attributed to the actions of these individuals and institutions, who chose to focus on other aspects of Mughal history.
The Ripple Effect
The surprise attack led by the Mughal prince ultimately changed the course of the war, allowing the Mughal Empire to gain a strategic foothold in the region. The local population was significantly affected, as the Mughal victory led to a period of relative stability and security. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the design of the fortifications at the Red Fort in Delhi, which was influenced by the Mughal Empire's military successes, including this battle. The architects of the fort incorporated features that would prevent similar surprise attacks in the future, such as strategically placed watchtowers and defensive walls.
The Line That Says It All
The Mughal prince's horse was found dead at the bottom of the cliff, its rider nowhere to be found, and the enemy's records simply noted a "sudden and mysterious collapse" of their defenses.
A Note on Sources
This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the military campaigns of the Mughal Empire in 17th-century India.
