Following his father's death in battle in August 1595, various nobles pressed the rights of opposing claimants to the throne, the most prominent being his cousin Ahmad Nizam Shah II.
[3] Akbar's son Murad laid siege to the city while Chand Bibi gained the support of the nobles for Bahadur's rule, including the powerful Bijapuri commander Ikhlas Khan.
In return for the kingdom accepting Mughal suzerainty and seceding the province of Berar, Murad withdrew his forces and recognised Bahadur as the ruler of Ahmadnagar.
After the city was besieged for several months, Chand Bibi eventually chose to surrender, on the condition of the lives of the garrison, as well as her and Bahadur being allowed to retire safely to Junnar.
[7] The ensuing confusion among the garrison rendered orderly defence impossible and on 18 August 1600, mines planted by the Mughals were detonated, resulting in the destruction of a large section of the city walls.