Who built the Royal road from Peshawar to Sonargaon?

The Royal Road: A Tapestry Woven by Centuries of Mughal Rule

The term Royal Road from Peshawar to Sonargaon evokes images of a grand, unified highway stretching across the vast expanse of the Mughal Empire. However, the reality is far more nuanced and fascinating, revealing a complex history built not by a single hand, but by the cumulative efforts of numerous rulers and dynasties across centuries. To speak of a single builder is to fundamentally misunderstand the roads evolution.

Instead of a singular construction project, the Royal Road was a gradual accretion of improved trade routes and strategically important pathways, stitched together over generations to form a vital artery of the Mughal Empire. Its creation wasnt a top-down decree from a single emperor, but a pragmatic response to the empires logistical needs and the ever-present desire for efficient communication and trade.

The initial segments likely predated the Mughal Empire altogether. Existing pathways, possibly ancient trade routes connecting the Indus Valley civilization with the Bengal region, served as the foundational skeleton upon which the Mughals built. These pre-existing tracks, likely little more than rough trails, were gradually improved upon by successive rulers.

The early Mughal emperors, particularly Babur and Humayun, focused primarily on consolidating their power and establishing a foothold in India. While they undoubtedly utilized and improved existing routes, large-scale construction on what would become the Royal Road was not a major priority during their reigns.

It was under Akbars reign (1556-1605) that significant improvements began. Akbars vast administrative reforms and focus on infrastructure development saw the expansion and refinement of several key sections of the route. He understood the crucial link between efficient communication and effective governance, and the road played a vital role in unifying his enormous empire. However, even under Akbar, the road wasnt a single, uniformly built entity. Instead, various sections were improved, bridges constructed, and rest houses established, reflecting a piecemeal approach driven by practical needs rather than a grand, centralized plan.

Subsequent emperors like Jahangir and Shah Jahan continued the process of improvement and expansion. They focused on maintaining existing segments, improving sections deemed strategically important, and forging new connections to enhance trade and communication between different parts of the empire. Each emperor’s contributions were influenced by their own priorities, resources, and the prevailing political climate. Shah Jahan, known for his architectural prowess, undoubtedly oversaw significant upgrades in certain areas, but the road itself remained a product of ongoing maintenance and incremental expansion.

The final stretches of the Royal Road were likely solidified during the reigns of Aurangzeb and later Mughal emperors. However, even in Aurangzebs time, the road wasnt a paved highway in the modern sense. Instead, it consisted of a network of interconnected pathways and tracks, many of which were improved or maintained according to local needs and resources.

In conclusion, the Royal Road wasnt built by a single individual but emerged as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mughal Empire. Its construction represents a continuous, evolving process spanning centuries, shaped by the needs, ambitions, and resources of successive emperors and their administrations. Attributing its creation to a single entity ignores the complex and dynamic history behind this vital artery of the Mughal world. It is a collective achievement, a historical tapestry woven from the threads of countless contributions across time.