The Battle of Jagdishpur was a decisive engagement in 1745 during the Afghan insurrections in Bengal (1745–1748), pitting the forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Zain-ud-Din Ahmed Khan, against the Afghan rebel Mustafa Khan. Depleted by his failed Patna campaign, Mustafa Khan led another attempt to capture the Bihar province. In a fierce battle near Jagdishpur, Mustafa Khan was shot dead by musket fire; his head was severed and displayed on a spear atop his elephant, causing the Afghan army to flee under his son Murtaza.
Background
Following Mustafa Khan's defeat at the battle of Patna, determined to capture Bihar, decided to assault once more time. He promptly repaired his artillery and arms and recruited fresh troops from various regions. Within three months, before the rains began, he assembled an army of 18,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry. "In course of three months, before the rains set in, he [Mustafa Khan] had been able to assemble a large army of 18,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry."
Mustafa Khan left Chunar before the monsoon of 1745, entered Shahabad, and allied with zamindar Udwant Singh Ujjainia of Jagdishpur, who had been hostile to Zain-ud-Din.
Battle On June 2, 1745, Zain-ud-Din promptly departed from Patna at the head of an army of 13,000–14,000 men, "Zain-ud-din promptly issued from Patna at the head of 13,000 men " "Zainuddin started from Patna on the 2nd June, 1743, at the head of 13,000 or 14,000 soldiers." accompanied by generals like Shah Din Muhammad, Raham Khan Ruleha and others. They then forded the Sone River at Koilwar, and next day advanced 12 miles south-west by south to Karhani (in Shahabad) on the edge of the jungle of Jagdishpur. Two miles beyond this village the enemy were sighted and the battle joined on June 20, 1745.
Mustafa's forces and equipment had been severely depleted due to his financial exhaustion following the failed Patna campaign, which had consumed his treasury. Raja Kyretchand, mounted on an elephant, commanded the right flank of Zain ud-Din's army with 5,000 cavalry and several thousand infantry, reinforced by Ahmad Khan Qureshi and Jaswantnagar with their troops. Mustafa Khan chased and routed Zain ud-Din's vanguard under Kirat Chand, killing Daud Khan and several young soldiers. Khadem Husain Khan was also wounded. Mustafa Khan seized his guns.
Mustafa Khan launched a desperate charge at Zain-ud-Din. Abdul Ali Khan resolved to make a bold stand once more. He was soon reinforced by Mahdi Nisar Khan, Naqi Ali Khan, Shah Jahan Yar, Raja Sundar Singh, Raham Khan Ruhela, Karam Khan, and Raja Ram Narain, and advanced to oppose Mustafa Khan.
Mustafa routed the Nawab's vanguard; however, he was immediately struck by a musket ball on his chest and lost his consciousness. He soon regained his senses and renewed his charge against Zain ud-Din. Under the order of Zain ud-Din, Hashim Ali Khan mounted the rebel leader's elephant, beheaded Mustafa Khan, and displayed his head on a spear. The Afghan seeing their general's death collapsed into flight. Rajah Kirat Chand pursued the Afghan soldiers to their camp and captured their tents, horses and baggages. The Afghans retreated to the village of Magror under the command of Mustafa's son, Murtaza Khan, and the surviving officers.
Aftermath Mustafa Khan's decapitated body was taken to Patna, and was dissected into two halves. The bisected body was hung at the city's western and eastern gates before burial in Sher Shah's mosque compound, on Zainuddin's orders. This battle decisively ended first Afghan insurrection in Bengal. Zain ud-Din emerging victorious returned to Patna. The news of victory reached to Alivardi. "Thus the first Afghan insurrection was fully suppressed and Zainuddin returned triumphantly to Patna." "The first Afghan insurrection was thus thoroughly suppressed and Zainuddin triumphantly returned to Patna. He reported about his victory to Alivardi." "To cheek him in time Zain-ud-din left Patna on 2 Tune 1745 and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Afghans at Jagdishpur (18 miles south-west of Arrah town) on 20 June. Mustafa Khan lost his life and his son. Murtaza Khan fled away with his followers to Magror (14 miles west of Chainpur on the bank of the Karamnasa river)." In the meantime, Raghuji Bhonsle had invaded Odisha, and captured Cuttack with its governor Durlabhram.
See also Battle of Patna (1745) Battle of Bhagalpur (1745)
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