Exam Context: This topic is critical for understanding the transition of Odisha from an independent Hindu kingdom to a Mughal province. Key areas of focus include the fall of the Chalukya/Suryavamsi dynasty, the battles of Tukaroi and Rajmahal, and the role of Raja Man Singh in the final consolidation.
1. The End of Hindu Independence (1568 A.D.)
The medieval history of Odisha witnessed a turning point with the Muslim conquest. Mukundadeva, the last independent Hindu king, faced internal treachery and external aggression simultaneously. In 1568 A.D., Sulaiman Karrani of Bengal dispatched his son Bayazid and the general Kalapahada to attack Odisha. While Mukundadeva advanced to Kotasima to face the Afghans, he was forced to retreat to deal with the rebellion of Ramachandra Bhanja of Sarangagarh. Mukundadeva was killed in 1568 A.D., ending the independence of medieval Odisha and paving the way for Afghan rule.
2. The Rise of Daud Karrani and Conflict with Akbar
Following the death of Sulaiman Karrani in 1572 A.D. and the subsequent murder of Bayazid, Daud Karrani assumed power. He defied Emperor Akbar by ordering the Khutba to be read and coins struck in his own name. This defiance triggered a prolonged Mughal-Afghan conflict. Akbar dispatched Munim Khan and Raja Todarmal to suppress Daud.
The Battle of Tukaroi (1575 A.D.)
The decisive engagement occurred on the plain of Tukaroi, located on the bank of the river Suvarnarekha, in 1575 A.D.. During the battle, the Afghan commander Gujar Khan wounded Munim Khan but was eventually killed by an arrow. The battle ended in favor of the Mughals, forcing Daud to flee to Cuttack.
The Treaty of Cuttack
Daud surrendered to Munim Khan on 12 April 1575 A.D.. In the resulting treaty, Daud promised loyalty to Akbar and was granted Odisha as a fief (tankhwah) for his support, while Munim Khan became the Governor of Bengal.
3. Renewed Hostilities and the Battle of Rajmahal
The peace was short-lived. Following the death of Munim Khan in October 1575 A.D., Daud Karrani broke the treaty, killing the Mughal governor of Bhadrak and reoccupying Jaleswar. Akbar responded by sending Husain Quli Beg (Khan-i-Jahan) and Todarmal. A fierce battle took place at Rajmahal on 12 July 1576 A.D.. The Afghans were utterly defeated; Daud was captured and executed, while other leaders like Kalapahada fled. Although Odisha was technically annexed to Akbar's empire in 1576, effective Mughal administration remained elusive for decades.
4. The Era of Insurgency: Qutlu Lohani (1580s)
Between 1576 and 1605, Mughal officers struggled to dislodge the Afghans completely. Qutlu Lohani emerged as a powerful Afghan leader, establishing authority over Odisha with the help of Masum Khan. Despite temporary surrenders—such as Qutlu’s submission to Wazir Khan where he presented sixty elephants—the Afghans maintained their stronghold in Odisha.
5. Raja Man Singh and the Final Conquest (1590–1593 A.D.)
Akbar eventually sent his ablest general, Raja Man Singh, to deal with the Afghans.
The Treaty of 1590
After the death of Qutlu Lohani, his son’s Wazir, Khwaja Isa, sued for peace. A treaty was signed on 15 August 1590 A.D. with the following key terms:
- The Emperor's name would be used on coins and the Khutba.
- The Afghan ruler would remain a loyal vassal.
- Jagannath (Puri) and surrounding districts were ceded to the Emperor.
Man Singh cunningly inserted the clause regarding the Jagannath temple to win the support of the Hindus of Odisha, positioning the Mughals as the custodians of the deity.
Final Annexation (1593 A.D.)
Following the death of Khwaja Isa in 1592 A.D., the Afghans under Nasir Khan violated the treaty by seizing the crown land of Puri and the Jagannath temple. This led to Man Singh’s final campaign. The Afghans were defeated near the Suvarnarekha river and fled to the fort of Sarangagarh.
Simultaneously, Man Singh besieged Khurda. The ruler, Raja Ramachandradeva, surrendered in 1593 A.D.. Akbar recognized Ramachandradeva as the ruler of Khurda and the protector of the Jagannath temple, granting him a Mansabdar rank of 3,500. With this surrender, the Mughal conquest was complete, and Odisha became a permanent part of the Mughal empire until the Maratha conquest.
Conclusion
The period from 1568 to 1593 marked a violent transition in Odisha's history. While Mukundadeva was the last independent Hindu king, it was the strategic warfare of Akbar and Man Singh that finally extinguished Afghan rule and integrated Odisha into the Mughal administrative framework.