Khan Dowran VII
Khan Dowran VII (Persian: خان دوران; d. 1739), was a Mughal statesman and general in the eighteenth century. He served the Mughal emperor, Muhammad Shah, until his death at the Battle of Karnal.
During Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire, Muhammad Shah sent out a request for troops throughout his lands and gathered a large force to face the invaders. One of the Mughal nobles who answered the call of the Emperor was Khan Dowran, being appointed de facto commander in chief of the Mughal army upon Muhammad Shah's request. After the arrival of a contingent of Mughal forces under the command of Sa'adat Khan, the rearguard of this reinforcing column came under attack from Persian skirmishes who looted the baggage. Sa'adat Khan set out in pursuit and was lured into battle.
After reports came into the Mughal camp, Muhammad Shah strongly favoured aiding Sa'adat Khan's troops but Khan Dowran advised caution, stating any aid given to Sa'adat khan would only involve a greater number of Mughal troops in Sa'adat Khan's defeat. After Muhammad Shah questioned his courage, Khan Dowran donned his armour and set out to link up with Sa'adat Khan. However, Nader Shah sent out a number of troops to feign retreat and managed to separate Khan Dowran and Sa'adat Khan and defeat each in detail. Khan Dowran's soldiers were decimated and he himself was badly injured and died later that evening after being carried back to the Mughal camp by his retainers.
See also
Bibliography
- Cust, Edward, Annals of the wars of the eighteenth century, Gilbert & Rivington Printers:London, 1862.
- Dupuy, R. Ernest and Trevor N. Dupuy, The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History, 4th Ed., HarperCollinsPublishers, 1993.
- Axworthy, Michael, "The Sword of Persia; Nader Shah, from Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant", I B Tauris, 2009.