Decentralization of the Mughal Governance and Emergence of Gakhar Chief Muqarrab Khan: A Study of Gujrat

Abstract

This study seeks to explore the political evolution of Gujrat during the mid-eighteenth century, as reflected by the rise of Gakhar leader Sultan Muqarrab Khan. It also seeks to contextualize this rise within the larger framework of Mughal decline and the rise of regional polities within Punjab. The rise of Gujrat as a politically important region is also linked to the invasion of Nadir Shah and subsequent political fragmentation of North India. The region was fertile ground because of its rich agricultural base and strategic location vis-à-vis the Chenab River. The research seeks to explore Muqarrab Khan’s consolidation of power and administration during a time of political flux and turbulence, which was reflected by Afghan invasions, tribal rivalries, and the rise of Sikh military federations. Special attention is given to Muqarrab Khan’s political alliance with Ahmad Shah Durrani. The historical narratives suggest that Muqarrab Khan’s rule was a transitional phase that linked Mughal administration to post-Mughal polity. It is argued that Muqarrab Khan’s rule resulted in an interlude of political stability within Gujrat, which impacted its subsequent incorporation into Sikh and colonial administrations. The research contributes to existing historical narratives on eighteenth-century Punjab by highlighting local leaders who are often overlooked within larger narratives of imperialism.