Yahya Khan | |
|---|---|
| Subahdar of Lahore | |
| In office c. 1745 – 17 March 1747 | |
| Monarch | Muhammad Shah |
| Preceded by | Mir Mumin Khan |
| Succeeded by | Shah Nawaz Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | c. 1748 |
| Resting place | Bagga Gumbaz, Lahore |
| Spouse | Daughter ofQamar al-Din Khan |
| Parent |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Mughal Empire |
| Battles/wars |
|
Yahya Khan was an 18th centuryMughalSubahdar ofLahore.[1]
On the death ofZakariyya Khan, the Subahdar of Lahore was conferred on Mir Mumin Khan, but shortly after, Yahya Khan was appointed governor through the interest of his father-in-lawWazir Qamar al-Din Khan.[2] During the vigorous rule of his grandfatherAbd al-Samad Khan and his father,Zakariyya Khan, the Sikhs behaved themselves as peaceful subjects and lived in harmony in their villages or lurked in woods and valleys with the view of obtaining a livelihood by robbery, but when Yahya Khan held theviceroyalty ofLahore, the distractions of theMughal Empire atDelhi were favorable to them, and, assuming an organised martial appearance, they took to rapine and plunder.[3] An armed band of Sikhs proceeded to levy contributions atEminabad and captured a large number of flocks in its vicinity. Yahya Khan sent out a small detachment of troops, underJaspat Rai, brother of hisDiwan or Prime Minister,Lakhpat Rai, to disperse the insurgents who were devastating the country, but the latter, falling upon the troops with fury, overpowered and repulsed them, killingJaspat Rai. The end of this expedition exasperated Yahya Khan who now sent a large force against them under the command ofLakhpat Rai, who hastened fromLahore to avenge his brother's death, and the Sikhs retreated before him into the north eastern corner ofPunjab, where he inflicted on them a severe defeat with great slaughter. To complete his revenge, he brought with him a thousand Sikhs in irons toLahore, and having compelled them to ride on donkeys barebacked, paraded them in the bazars of the city. They were then taken to the nakhas khina or horse market, outside theDelhi Gate of the city, and there beheaded one after another. Yahya Khan, now issued a proclamation for a general massacre of all Sikhs, wherever they could be found. Death was to be the punishment of all persons who invoked the name ofGuru Gobind Singh, and a reward was offered for the heads of Sikhs. Thousands were put to death daily and their heads brought before Yahya Khan for the reward. Many Sikhs had their long hair cut short, and their flowing beards clipped, to avoid detection and consequent death, while others concealed themselves in the jungle or fled across theSutlej. About 10,000 Sikhs were destroyed in this campaign known asChhota Ghallughara.[4][5]
At this time, his younger brotherHayatullah Khan, to whomNadir Shah had given the title of Shah Nawaz Khan, raised a large army against him and took him andLakhpat Rai prisoners. Yahya Khan was able to escape trough a plot of his aunt, Sharf al-Nisa.[6][7] He is buried at the Bagga Gumbaz inLahore.[3]