Bayazid of Sylhet (diedc. 1612?), also calledBayazid Karrani II, was a ruler inSylhet during the early 17th century, in what is present-dayBangladesh. A prominent member of theBaro-Bhuiyan, Bayazid led military opposition against theMughal Empire's expansion into easternBengal. His surrender following a sanguineous battle in 1612 ultimately resulted in their annexation of Sylhet.
At the time of the Mughal invasion of the region, Bayazid was among the most powerful leaders of the EasternAfghan Confederates inSylhet, independently ruling its eastern half with his capital in Pratapgarh.[1][2] He has been identified as a member of theKarrani dynasty ofBengal, thus making him "Bayazid Karrani II", though historianSyed Murtaza Ali has suggested that he was identical to Sultan Bazid of thePratapgarh Kingdom.[3]
He was one of the most prominent members of theBaro-Bhuyan of his time,[4] continuing the struggle againstMughal expansion of the previous generation underIsa Khan.[5] Bayazid was among those who had been granted lands as part of the maintenance of this alliance by the latter's son,Musa Khan.[6] Resistance against invasion into what is present-dayBangladesh in particular (and that of Sylhet especially) was headed both jointly and independently by Bayazid,Khwaja Usman ofUsmangarh (andTaraf) and Anwar Khan ofBaniachong.[7] Bayazid had sheltered his close ally Khwaja Usman,[8] when the latter was forced from his stronghold of Bokainagar in 1611.[9]
It was in light of this close alliance thatIslam Khan I, the Mughal governor ofBengal, when initiating hostilities against Khwaja Usman in March 1612, also dispatched an imperial force against Bayazid so as to prevent the latter from providing aid.[8][10] Ghiyas Khan was appointed to lead the expedition, though due to his diffidence, command was later entrusted toShaikh Kamal. He was assisted by officers such asMubariz Khan, Tuqmaq Khan,Mirak Bahadur Jalair and Mir Abdur Razzaq Shirazi. Mir Ali Beg was made thebakhshi (paymaster) of this Mughal command.[11] The host consisted of four thousandmatchlock-men, one thousand picked cavalry of Islam Khan I, one hundred imperial war elephants and the fleet of Musa Khan and his confederates, who had surrendered to the Mughals the previous year.[12][13] Bayazid's side consisted of the forces sworn to him and his brother Yaqub, as well as several hill-tribe chieftains (likelyKukis).[14]
Upon reaching the outskirts of Bayazid's domains, the Mughals launched a series of plundering raids with the intention of terrorising the inhabitants into submission, eventually arriving on the banks of theSurma River just outside thecity of Sylhet. To challenge Shaikh Kamal's advance, Bayazid deputised his brother to lead a large contingent to the region and man the fort of Kadamtala. In turn, Shaikh Kamal dispatchedRaja Satrajit to construct their ownblockhouse fort on the Surma bank opposite, though throughout its construction, they faced continuous bombardment by cannon fire from Yaqub's men. Upon its completion and after a week of artillery fire, the Mughals were able to capture Kadamtala, forcing the Afghans to retreat. However, upon receiving considerable reinforcements from theRaja of Kachar, Bayazid and Yaqub resumed their hostilities, attacking the imperial fort to the result of a serious loss of life on both sides. The intense conflict continued, putting Shaikh Kamal in considerable difficulties. The Afghans reached such levels of confidence that they repeatedly sent messages offering to accept the Mughals' surrender: "we still promise you and all your comrades, great and small, a safe passage. If you desire your welfare, then come out of your fort and go you all back on foot to Islam Khan with your bare bodies, leaving all your elephants and equipments here."[15][16]
However, when news was received of the defeat and death of Khwaja Usman, the Afghans were greatly demoralised, with their resistance collapsing and Bayazid quickly suing for peace. After initially sending Yaqub to treat with the Mughal command, Bayazid was instructed to go personally and offer his unconditional surrender. Shaikh Kamal met him with civility and offered him and his brotherrobes of honour as well as the promise of imperial favour. Thus assured, Bayazid surrendered his elephants to the Mughal general, who ordered Mubariz Khan and another subordinate to command the occupying soldiers and administration of Sylhet respectively.[17] Soon after, Anwar Khan also submitted,[18] thus bringing Sylhet for the first time under the control of the Mughal empire.[2]
Bayazid and his family were escorted by Shaikh Kamal to the court of Islam Khan inDhaka, arriving by mid-April 1612. Khan received them from hisJharokha with greater pomp and grandeur than he had the relations of Khwaja Usman, who had also been taken to Dhaka a few days prior. Robes of honour and horses were later presented to Bayazid and his brothers, with a reception being held afterwards. Places were fixed for their residence, though they were deprived of their liberty and kept under close watch by trustworthy officers. When EmperorJahangir ordered the presence of Bayazid and his family alongside Khwaja Usman's at the imperial court, the former group were escorted byMutaqid Khan.[19][20] While historianAbdul Karim states that nothing more is heard of Bayazid after this,Syed Murtaza Ali asserts that he was allowed by the Emperor to continue to rule Pratapgarh as a feudal lord, before dying soon after.[19][21]
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