Bengal Sultanate conquest of Orissa

Prelude Ibrahim Shah Suri, defeated by Adil Shah Suri due to his rebellion against the Sur dynasty, sought refuge in Bengal. However, Sulaiman Karrani, the Karrani ruler of Bengal, attempted to detain Ibrahim Khan Suri. Recognizing the danger, Ibrahim Khan Suri appealed to Mukunda Deva, the ruler of Odisha, for shelter and assistance in 1559 AD. Mukunda Deva, of Chalukya descent, ascended to the throne by ousting Raghuram Raya Chotaraya, the Bhoi ruler of Odisha. Responding to Ibrahim's plea, Mukunda Deva not only offered refuge but also granted him land as a mark of honour. Mukunda Deva firmly rejected surrendering Ibrahim to the Karranis, sparking animosity from Sulaiman, the ruler of Bengal. Involvement of the Mughals By this time, the Mughal Empire, led by Humayun, achieved victory over Sikander Shah Suri at the Battle of Sirhind, successfully reinstating Mughal rule over India. This triumph marked the recovery of territories that had previously been lost to Sher Shah Suri. One year following the Battle of Sirhind, Humayun died, leading to Akbar ascending to the throne of the Mughal Empire. In 1665 Mukunda Dev received embassy from Akbar. He sworn allegiance to Akbar and promised to send Ibrahim to invade Bengal if Sulaiman Karrani revolts against the Mughals. == The conquest ==

In January 1567, Mukunda Deva launched an invasion of Bengal, having a victory over the Bengal forces and amassing significant wealth. Setting up camp along the banks of the Ganges, he engaged in military exercises, including boat manoeuvres on the river. Remarkably, this marked the final instance when the Odisha army reached the banks of the Ganga. Bayezid was accompanied by a former Mughal general Sikandar Uzbak. Advancing towards Odisha, the Bengal forces reached the coastal area near Balasore. Realizing the absence of support from the Mughals, Mukunda dispatched an army led by his trusted officers, Chhota Rai and Raghubhanja. But these officers betrayed Mukunda and defected to the Bengal side against their own ruler. == Outcome ==

The records present two different accounts of the outcome of this campaign. First version According to Mandala Panji, the Bengal army, led by Sulaiman, engaged in a conflict with Mukunda's Chalukya forces. In this encounter, Mukunda's forces suffered defeat and sought refuge within the Kotsimul fort in the Hoogly district of West Bengal. Simultaneously, another segment of the Bengal army, commanded by Bayezid and Kala Pahar, laid siege to Cuttack, the capital of Odisha, against Koni Samanta Simhara. In this confrontation, Simhara was defeated and killed. In the same manner, he forced Ibrahim Sur to surrender and killed. Kalapahar, the commander of the Karrani dynasty, inflicted a severe blow to the art and architecture of Odisha by destroying temples and images. This destructive episode is considered a significant tragedy in the cultural heritage of the region. == Aftermath ==

Thus, in 1568, Orissa's medieval independence came to an end. Subsequently, Orissan prestige suffered, with local kings becoming mere puppets under Muslim governors. Orissa remained a part of the Bengal Sultanate until it was annexed by the Mughal Empire. == References ==