Question

When Shaistakhan left from Ahmadnagar and entered the Pune province?
a. 1655
b. 1660
c. 1665
d. 1662

Answer 1

Hint: Shaista Khan’s actual name was Mirza Abu Talib. He was a subahdar as well as a general in the Mughal army. He was also the maternal uncle of Aurangzeb who was a very successful Mughal emperor. Shaista Khan was a key figure during Aurangzeb’s reign.

Complete answer:
Shaista Khan was initially responsible for the governance of the Deccan region and he fought with Shivaji also there. Afterwards, he served as the governor of Bengal from 1664-1668. His efforts made the Mughals attain great power in the city of Dhaka as well. Apart from this, the conquest of Chittagong was also notable.
Shaista Khan left Ahmadnagar in February 1660 and entered the Pune province. He destroyed the city of Swaraj and sent his forces to places around Pune and they looted the people there. During these circumstances, Shivaji made a plan and raided the Lal Mahal at night with a selected band of soldiers. During this raid, Shaista Khan lost his fingers and suffered great humiliation. Thus, he left Pune and shifted his camp to Aurangabad.
Now, let us look at the given options.
Option a- Shaista Khan was an important person in Aurangzeb’s kingdom. He became the viceroy of Khandesh in 1658 after which he clashed with Shivaji in the province of Pune. So, this option is incorrect.
Option b- After Aurangzeb accession to the throne, Shaista Khan arrived at Aurangabad and quickly advanced to seize Pune in the year 1660. But Shivaji and his soldiers made a smart plan and looted the Nawab’s compound and killed many people. This sudden attack caused huge loss which angered Aurangzeb who transferred Shaista Khan to Bengal without even following the protocols. Thus, it is the right answer.
Option c- In the year 1665, Shaista Khan was the subahdar of Bengal and he was responsible for that region. Aurangabad and Pune are in the state of present Maharashtra. Hence, Shaista Khan did not enter Pune province this year and it is the wrong answer.
Option d- By the year 1662, Shaista Khan had already established himself in the province of Pune. This is an incorrect option.
Thus, option ‘b’ is right.

Note: The rule of Shaista Khan over Bengal is also known as the golden age of Bengal. It is said that around three hundred kilograms of rice could be bought using just one unit of Bengal’s currency known as taka. Till now, the cheap price conditions in Bangladesh are known as Reign of Shaista Khan. Also, the Shaista Khan Mosque is a major tourist attraction and is protected by the Bangladesh government till today.