Mughal campaign of Tripura

During Yashodhar Manikya's reign Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang led the Mughal invasion of Tripura on the orders of Emperor Jahangir (). According to the Rajamala, the primary motive behind the invasion was Jahangir's desire to acquire Tripura's renowned horses and elephants, which were highly valued for military use. This is corroborated by Abul Fazl, who praised the superior quality of Tripura's elephants. The Mughals required these animals to strengthen their forces for both defence and offensive campaigns. Raja Yashodhar Manikya, a devout Vaishnava opposed to warfare, was not expected to offer strong resistance. == Campaign ==

In 1618, Ibrahim Khan organized the invading land army into two divisions: one commanded by Mirza Isfandiyar Khan and the other by Mirza Nur-ud-din and Musa Khan. Isfandiyar Khan's division consisted of over 2,700 cavalry, 4,000 matchlock men, and 20 elephants. The second division under Nur-ud-din and Musa Khan comprised more than 3,000 cavalry, 5,000 matchlock men, and 50 elephants. In addition, a naval fleet of 300 well-equipped war boats was dispatched under the command of Admiral Bahadur Khan to advance through the Gomti River. Isfandiyar Khan's division advanced towards Tripura via Kailagad near present-day Kasba, while the second division under Nur-ud-din and Musa Khan marched towards the capital Udaipur, via 19 miles west near Meherkul. Yashodhar Manikya decided to engage the two Mughal forces separately. He launched a surprise night attack on Isfandiyar Khan's division with 1,000 cavalry, 60,000 infantry, and 200 elephants. Although the Tripura army fought fiercely, the Mughals emerged victorious. Heavy casualties were suffered on both sides, and Yashodhar Manikya was forced to retreat to Udaipur with heavy losses. The Mughal forces captured 70 elephants from the Tripura army. Meanwhile, the second Mughal division under Nur-ud-din and Musa Khan was advancing. While retreating to Udaipur after his defeat by Isfandiyar Khan, Yashodhar Manikya suddenly encountered this division. He launched a desperate surprise attack on the sleeping Mughal soldiers but was defeated once again. Upon reaching Udaipur, the king sent his fleet by river and an army by land to oppose the Mughal navy. Despite Tripura's the attempts to block the advance, the Mughals broke through and captured Udaipur. With the fall of the capital, Tripura was conquered. Yashodhar Manikya fled in the morning. After three days of search, he was captured in the forest along with his wives, children and vast treasures. The Mughals also seized all the remaining elephants of the Tripura king. == Aftermath ==

Yashodhar Manikya was sent prisoner first to Dhaka and then to Delhi. Following this conquest completed in November 1618, Bengal enjoyed peace for two and half years till October 1620 as the Mughals secured a base against the Arakanese. Its capital Udaipur was turned into a Mughal outpost under Mirza Nurullah. Later Ibrahim Khan visited the country of Tripura. Yasodhar Manikya died in 1623. Following a plague in 1625 the Mughals were forced to retreat and Kalyan Manikya () crowned himself to the throne. He defeated the Mughals in many battles. In 1658, Kalyan Manikya was finally defeated by Shah Shuja. This landmark loss forced Tripura to pay tribute to foreign power for the first time, with the Meharkal Comilla region assessed at a tribute of Rs. 99,860. == See also ==