Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri(Farid al-Din Khan; 1472 or 1486 – 22 May 1545),also known by his titleSultan Adil(Just King), was the ruler ofBiharfrom 1530 to 1540, andSultan of Hindustanfrom 1540 untilhis deathin 1545.He defeated theMughal Empirein 1540, founding theSur Empire,and establishing his rule inDelhi.The influence of his innovations and reforms extended far beyond his brief reign. During his time in power, he remained undefeated in battle and was renowned as one of the most skillful Afghan generals in history.

Sher Shah Suri
Shah SultanAdil (JustKing) Ustad-I-Badshahan Hazrat-i-Ala Lion King
Painting of Sher Shah Suri from a manuscript ofTarikh-i-Khandan-i-Timuriya(dated betweenc. 1570–1590), prepared by the court painters of Mughal emperor Akbar
Sultan of Hindustan
Reign	6 April 1538/17 May 1540 — 22 May 1545
Coronation	First coronation: 6 April 1538 Second coronation: 17 May 1540
Predecessor	Humayun(asMughal Emperor)
Successor	Islam Shah Suri
Ruler ofBihar
Reign	1530 — 6 April 1538/17 May 1540
Predecessor	Jalal Khan Lohani
Successor	Abolished
Born	Farid al-Din Khan 1472 or 1486 Sasaram,Delhi Sultanate(now inBihar,India)
Died	22 May 1545 (aged 73 or 59) Kalinjar
Burial	Sher Shah Suri Tomb,Sasaram
Spouse	Lad Malika
Issue	Islam Shah Suri(Jalal Khan) Adil Khan
Native language	Pashto
House	Sur
Father	Hasan Khan Sur
Religion	Sunni Islam

Born between1472 and 1486and given the name Farid Khan, his early childhood saw him flee from home due to internal family strife. He pursued an education inJaunpur,where his rise to power began after his father offered him a managerial position over hisjagirs.Sher Shah effectively governed these territories, gaining a reputation for his reforms that brought prosperity to the region. However, due to family intrigues, he eventually relinquished his position over the jagirs. Sher Shah then moved toAgra,where he stayed until his father's death. This event allowed him to return to his family's jagirs and take control, thereby solidifying his leadership and furthering his rise to power.

Sher Shah spent time in Agra after the Mughals gained power, observing the leadership ofBabur.After leaving Agra, he entered the service of the governor of Bihar. Following the governor's death in 1528, Sher Shah obtained a high position in Bihar and, by 1530, became theregentand de facto ruler of thekingdom.He engaged in conflicts with the local nobility and theSultanate of Bengal.In 1538, while Mughal EmperorHumayunwas engaged in military campaigns elsewhere, Sher Shah overran the Bengal Sultanate and established the Suri dynasty. He defeated the Mughals and drove them out of India, establishing himself asemperorinDelhi.A brilliant strategist, Sher Shah was both a gifted administrator and a capable general. His reorganization of the empire and strategic innovations laid the foundations for future Mughal emperors, notablyAkbar.Sher Shah died in May 1545 while besiegingKalinjar fort.Following his death, the empire descended into civil war until it was eventuallyre-conqueredby the Mughals.

During his rule as Emperor of the Sur Empire, Sher Shah implemented numerous economic, administrative, and military reforms. He issued the firstRupiyaorganized the postal system of theIndian subcontinent,as well as extending theGrand Trunk RoadfromChittagonginBengaltoKabulinAfghanistan,significantly improving trade. Sher Shah further developed Humayun's Dina-panah city, renaming itShergarh,and revived the historical city ofPataliputra,which had been in decline since the 7th century CE, asPatna.Additionally, he embarked on several military campaigns that restoredAfghanprominence in India.

Name and title

His birth name was Farid Khan.After 1526, he was conferred the title Sher Khan, and following his conquest of the Mughal Empire in 1540, he became known as Sher Shah.

His surname 'Suri' was taken from his PashtunSurtribe. He was a distant kinsman to Babur's brother-in-law, Mir Shah Jamal, who remained loyal to Humayun. The nameSher(meanslionortigerin the older pronunciation of Persian) was conferred upon him for his courage, when as a young man, he killed a tiger that leapt suddenly upon the governor of Bihar, Behar Khan Lohani.

Early life and origin (1472/1486–1497)

Farid Khan was born inSasaram,located in present-dayBihar,India.His birth date is disputed, with some accounts stating he was born in 1472,while others claim 1486.He was ofPashtunAfghanorigin, belonging to theSurclan.

Farid Khan's grandfather, Ibrahim Khan Sur, began his career as a horse trader and eventually became a landlord (Jagirdar) in theNarnaularea of present-dayHaryana.He represented his patron Jamal Khan Lodi Sarangkhani, who assigned him several villages in Hissar Firoza.Farid Khan's father, Hasan, entered the service of Jamal Khan. In 1494, Jamal Khan was promoted and established inBiharbySikandar Khan Lodi.At Jamal Khan's request, Sikandar granted Hasan the jagirs of Khwaspur,Sasaram,andHajipurin Bihar.

Hasan had several wives and fathered over eight sons, with Nizam Khan being Farid Khan's only full brother.One of Farid Khan's stepmothers was cruel to him, and Hasan, being too submissive to his wife, was unable to intervene. As a result, Farid Khan sought refuge with Jamal Khan, aiming to gain experience and further his education.When Hasan discovered that his son had fled to serve Jamal Khan, the governor ofJaunpur,he demanded his return.Although Jamal Khan advised Farid Khan to comply, Farid Khan refused to return.

Farid Khan pursued his education in Jaunpur for several years, studying subjects such as history and religion. On one occasion, Hasan visited Jamal Khan in Jaunpur and encountered some of Farid Khan's relatives, who spoke of Farid Khan's potential for future greatness. Impressed by these accounts, Hasan invited Farid Khan to manage his domains in 1497.

Rise to power (1497–1528)

Imagined sketch of Sher Shah Suri by Afghan artistAbdul Ghafoor Breshna

Farid Khan accepted his father's offer and embarked on implementing numerous reforms. His early administrative career focused on combating corruption. One of Farid Khan's significant reforms as administrator of his father's domains was the assessment of land revenues, along with defining and establishing commissions for tax collectors. However, despite these reforms, Farid Khan faced resentment and intrigue from his stepmother, who had initially forced him to flee, and his step-brothers. This opposition eventually led to Farid Khan resigning from his post in 1518, after serving as manager for 21 years.Following his resignation, he departed forAgra,which was under the rule of theLodi dynastyof theDelhi Sultanate.

Farid Khan remained in Agra until his father's death, after which he received his father'sjagirsfrom SultanIbrahim Khan Lodi.Returning to his jagirs in 1520-21, he began administering them while contending with his half-brother Sulaiman, who initially drove Farid Khan away. Farid Khan later returned with the support ofBehar Khan Lohani,forging an alliance that allowed him to reclaim his jagir and several other crown Parganas. In 1526, theLodiswereoverthrown,bringing theMughalsto power underBabur.During this time, Behar Khan Lohani established an independent state in Bihar and assumed the title of Sultan Muhammad. With his jagirs secured, Farid Khan accompanied Behar Khan to Agra and arrived in April 1527, where he metMughalemperorBabur.During this time, Farid Khan was conferred the title of Sher Khan after killing a tiger that lept upon the ruler of Bihar.Sher Khan remained in Agra, observing Mughal military organization and administration.

During one occasion while dining withMughal EmperorBabur, Sher Khan encountered a dish he was unfamiliar with eating customarily. In response, he drew hisdaggercut the dish into smaller pieces, and then ate it with a spoon. Babur took notice and informed his ministerMir Khalifa:

Keep an eye on Sher Khan, he is a clever man and the marks of royalty are visible on his forehead. I have seen many Afghan nobles, greater men than he, but they never made an impression on me, but as soon as I saw this man, it entered into my mind that he ought to be arrested for I find in him the qualities of greatness and the marks of mightiness.

— Babur

Suspecting a rising plot against him, Sher Khan departedAgraand returned to his own Jagirs in 1528. Feeling unsafe there, he sought refuge under the protection of Sultan Muhammad of Bihar. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received and appointed as the guardian of Muhammad's son, Jalal Khan.

Reign in Bihar (1528–1538/1540)

In October 1528, Sultan Mohammad of Bihar died, and his queen, Dudu Bibi, assumed the role ofregent.Sher Khan was appointed as her deputy governor, allowing him to begin consolidating his position in the region. He implemented numerous reforms in Bihar, including the reorganization of the military and the appointment of loyalists to high-ranking positions. These reforms significantly strengthened his position, making him one of the most influential Afghan leaders in India.

During this period, Sher Khan participated in theBattle of Ghaghra,but did not commit significant aid toward Mahmud Lodi, a rival contender againstBabur.Following Mahmud Lodi's defeat, Sher Khan pledged his allegiance to Babur. In early 1530, the death of Dudu Bibi enabled Sher Khan to become the regent for Jalal Khan, effectively making him thede factoruler of Bihar.

Despite his growing power, many of the Lohani nobles opposed Sher Khan’s dominance. Although he offered to share power, the Lohani nobles rejected his proposal and instead fled to Bengal with Jalal Khan, seeking the support ofNasiruddin Nasrat Shah,therulerof theBengal Sultanate.Consequently, Sher Khan became the sole ruler ofBihar.However, he did not adopt any grand titles, preferring to style himself as Hazrat-i-Ala.

Acquisition of Chunar (1530)

View of Chunar fort from the north across the Ganges river

Taj Khan, the governor ofChunar,was assassinated by his stepson. In the aftermath, his wealthy widow, Lad Malika, sought a protector to secure her position. Recognizing Sher Khan's growing influence, she agreed to marry him. Through these negotiations, which were kept secret from Taj Khan's sons, Sher Khan gained control of Chunar. This acquisition significantly bolstered Sher Khan's power and influence in the region.

First conflict with the Mughals (1532)

Portrait of Mughal Emperor Humayun seated in a garden

Mughal EmperorHumayun,faced with the rising threat of the Afghans in the east led by Mahmud Lodi,defeated a force of them at Dadrah in 1532, following up his victory bybesiegingChunar in September 1532, which was under the control of Sher Khan. The siege continued for over four months to no avail. In order to make peace, Sher Khan offered his loyalty to the Mughals on the condition that he remained in control of Chunar, offering to send one of his sons as hostage. Humayun accepted and lifted the siege in December 1532, returning toAgradue to the rising threat ofBahadur Shah,the ruler of theGujarat Sultanate.Humayun did not wish to split up his forces under the command of a noble to continue the siege, as this would split his strength, additionally giving reason for peace to be established.

Lohani conflict and Bengal campaign (1533–1537)

Main article:Battle of Surajgarh

Makhdum Alam refused to recognizeGhiyasuddin Mahmud Shahas theSultan of Bengalaccusing him of assassinating SultanAlauddin Firuz.He formed an alliance with Sher Khan, who saw this as an opportunity to crush the power of the Lohani nobles allied with Mahmud Shah. In 1534, Mahmud Shah sent an army ofartillery,cavalryandinfantryunder Ibrahim Khan in 1534 to conquer Bihar, with Jalal Khan accompanying the campaign.However, Sher Khan launched a sudden attack on the combined forces of the Lohani chiefs of Bihar and Mahmud Shah of Bengal, defeating them at Surajgarh in March 1534. In this battle, Ibrahim Khan was killed, and Jalal Khan was forced to retreat to Mahmud Shah. Following this victory, Sher Khan consolidated his control overBihar.

Following the Sultan's defeat, the conflict continued intermittently for over three years. After consolidating his rule over much of Bihar, Sher Khan began preparing for an invasion of Bengal, then under theHussain Shahi dynasty.With large subsidies as aid from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, he recruited a large army, including over 1,200 elephants. Shortly after Humayun returned toAgrafrom his campaigns against Malwa, Sher Khan launched his campaign against Bengal. Despite receiving aid from thePortuguese,SultanGhiyasuddin Mahmud Shahwas defeated.The Sultan was forced to pay over 13,000,000 gold coins, and cede territory up toSakrigali.

Second Bengal campaign and conflict with the Mughals (1537—1540)

Main articles:Battle of ChausaandBattle of Kannauj

Depiction of Sher Khan's capture of Rohtasgarh fort through stratagem

Sher Khan's relentless campaigns on theBengal Sultanateprompted its ruler to seek aid fromHumayun.In response, Humayun mobilized aMughal armyin July 1537, and advanced towardsChunar.He reached the fort in November 1537 and laid siege to it. The siege would last over six months before the fort finally fell. Following this, Sher Khan began a second invasion into Bengal, seizingRohtasgarhin March 1538. He used Rohtasgarh to situate Afghan families and loot he obtained during the war. Following up his victory, Sher Khan besiegedGauda,which fell to the Afghan forces in April 1538.With these victories, Sher Khan held his first coronation.After the fall of Gauda, Sher Khan offered favorable peace terms to Humayun, proposing to pay 10,000,000 dinars, and the cessation ofBiharin exchange for control of Bengal. Humayun refused the offer, not wishing to leave the Bengal's rich resources to a hostile state. Additionally, the woundedGhiyasuddin Mahmud Shah,who had entered Humayun's camp, urged him to continue the war against Sher Khan. Ghiyasuddin died from his wounds soon after.

Following this, Humayun marched towards Bengal to confront Sher Khan. However, the Mughal army was overwhelmed by poor weather conditions, with heavy rains causing the loss of their baggage betweenPatnaandMonghyr.Humayun eventually reached Gauda and seized it without opposition on 8 September 1538. However, the city had been abandoned by the Afghans, who had stripped the treasury of any loot.Humayun remained in Gauda for months, restoring order to the city despite being stuck there due to the weather. Meanwhile, Sher Khan advanced into Humayun's territory, seizingBiharandVaranasi,reclaiming control over Chunar, and laying siege to Jaunpur. Other detachments of the Afghan army extended as far asKannauj.As a result, Humayun found himself effectively stranded in Gauda with no lines of communication. Upon learning of disturbances inAgra,Humayun immediately sought to settle for peace with Sher Khan. However, as he crossed theKarmanasa River,where his army was vulnerable to attack, Sher Khan capitalized on the Mughal army's fragile state and attacked at theBattle of Chausa.The Afghans descended on the Mughals, catching them off guard and resulting in a completerout.Humayun barely escaped with his life, with the Mughals suffering over 7,000 casualties, including many prominent noblemen.

Following his defeat, Humayun returned toAgra,and restored order after disturbances caused by his brother,Hindal Mirza.He then mobilized a large force of 40,000 soldiers and advanced against Sher Khan, who had amassed an army of 15,000. The two armies met atKannuaj,mirroring each other across theGangesriver. Humayun crossed the river and engaged in skirmishes with Sher Khan's forces. During the fighting, many of Humayun's nobles hid their insignia to avoid recognition by the Afghans, and several fled the battle. The Mughal army was ultimately defeated, forcing Humayun to flee toSindh.Following this victory, Sher Khan was crowned a second time on 17 May 1540, being declared the ruler ofHindustanand adopting the epithet Sultan Adil, meaning "Just King." He further took on the name Sher Shah.The defeat and flight of Humayun allowed Sher Shah to captureDelhi.

Reign as Sur emperor (1540–1545)

Main article:Sur Empire

Portrait of Sher Shah Suri, Afghan emperor of northern India (1538–1545)

Advance into the Punjab and Gakhar campaign (1540–1542)

Following Humayun's flight, Sher Shah continued his pursuit into Punjab, advancing onLahore,causing panic among the Mughals.Kamran Mirza,unprepared to confront Sher Shah, retreated to Kabul, leaving the region to Sher Shah. In November 1540, Sher Shah captured Lahore, with Afghan armies advancing as far as theKhyber Pass.However, he chose not to extend his empire beyond theIndus,as he did not wish to incorporate many Afghans who valued their independence and might pose difficulties. In 1541, Sher Shah capturedMultan.However, he didn't pursue the retreat of the Mughals further, no longer considering them a significant threat.

Not long after, Sher Shah entered into conflict with theGakhars,who had historically been difficult to subjugate despite attempts by previous rulers. Sher Shah initially attempted diplomacy, inviting the Gakhar chief to acknowledge him as the emperor of India. However, the Gakhar gave an insulting response which enraged Sher Shah. In retaliation, Sher Shah marched through Punjab, subjugating the Gakhars, devastating much of the countryside, and taking many prisoners. To further secure his rule, Sher Shah constructedRohtas Fortand stationed 50,000 men in Punjab under his generalsHaibat Khan NiaziandKhawas Khan Marwat.Subsequently, Sher Shah turned his attention to Bengal, where the governor he had appointed had become rebellious.

Reforms in Bengal (1541)

Recognizing the importance ofBengal,Sher Shah focused much of his administrative efforts in the region. In March 1541,Khijir Khan,the governor of Bengal under Sher Shah, led a revolt. Sher Shah mobilized an army and personally led it to defeat Khijir Khan, restoring Bengal to his suzerainty. He then divided Bengal into 47 smaller administrative divisions, each overseen by ashiqdar,withKazi Fajilotestablished as the chief supervisor of theMuqtars.These reforms increased the prominence of Afghans in Bengal, leading many to settle in the region. Some of these Afghan settlers later established theMuhammad Shahi dynasty,which ruled Bengal from 1553 to 1563, and theKarrani dynasty,which ruled from 1563 to 1576.

Conquest and consolidation of Malwa (1542)

In 1542, Sher Shah embarked on a campaign toMalwadue to fears that Malwa might ally with the Mughals against him. Sher Shah also faced the external threat of Humayun, who was attempting to establish a kingdom in Gujarat. As a result, the Afghan armies first marched onGwalior,led by Shujaat Khan, subjugating it under Afghan rule. This attack eliminated the threat of being flanked as they advanced further into theMalwa Sultanate.After securing the submission of Abul Qasim Beg, the Mughalwaliof Gwalior, the Afghans continued their march toSarangpur.Qadir Khan, the ruler of the Malwa Sultanate, being abandoned by his vassals who refused to support him, begged for the mercy of Sher Shah, who treated him well.

Despite former grudges, Sher Shah reconciled with Qadir Khan, and even gave Qadir Khan a jagir inBengal.However, Qadir Khan was discontent with the offer and fled to Gujarat. An attempt to recapture him, led by Shujaat Khan, ended in failure. Sher Shah consolidated his new territories before returning to Agra, receiving submission from the ruler ofRanthambore.Shujaat Khan was appointed as the new governor of Malwa.

Qadir Khan attempted to reclaim his lost territories and engaged in battles against Shujaat Khan on multiple occasions. Despite being outnumbered, Shujaat Khan decisively defeated Qadir Khan's coalition. For his valiant efforts, Shujaat Khan was awarded over 12,000 horses.

Conquest of Raisen (1543)

Main articles:Siege of ChanderiandPuran Mal

After the death of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat,Puran Malregained control ofRaisen,which had been annexed by Bahadur Shah in 1532. Following the re-capture of the city, Puran Mal led many tyrannical actions against the Muslim populace, creating deep resentment among the survivors. Hearing of this and seeking to take control of Raisen, Sher Shah began preparing for war.

Before resorting to war, Sher Shah offeredVaranasito Puran Mal in exchange for Raisin. Puran Mal refused, prompting Sher Shah to declare war.Jalal Khanled the Afghan army toVidisha,where he merged forces with Sher Shah. The merged Afghan force then advanced to Raisen, laying siege to the city. The siege lasted for six months until Sher Shah's artillery breached the city's defenses, leading to Puran Mal's surrender. The resulting treaty observed that: Puran Mal and his family would be granted free passage with their belongings, Sher Shah would withdraw his army to a distance of two marches from the fort, and Adil Khan and Qutab Khan would ensure that Puran Mal and his family would not be harmed.

Sher Shah and his army withdrew as agreed. However, along the way, he encountered widows of the chiefs ofChanderiand many others who demanded justice for the tyrannies they had suffered under the rule of Puran Mal.Sher Shah's army took notice of this as well and demanded he took action. As a result, Sher Shah ordered Isa Khan Hajjab to lead a forced march that caught up with the retreating detachment of Puran Mal. The Rajput forces resisted but were ultimately annihilated.{sfn|Matta|2005|p=171}}

Second Punjab campaign and subjugation of upper Sindh (1543)

Map of the Sur Empire at its height

Despite conqueringMultanin 1541, it was later overrun by Baloch tribes, prompting Sher Shah to plan a campaign in 1543. This campaign aligned with his intention to construct a new road fromLahoreto Multan. During this period, a raider named Fateh Khan Jatlootedthe routes between Lahore andDelhi,leading to numerous complaints.

Sher Shah ordered Haibat Khan to stop these raids. Haibat Khan successfully trapped Fateh Khan in a mud fort nearFatehpur.Seeing no escape, Fateh Khan surrendered, but the fort's garrison, led by Hinda Baluch, made asortie,breaking out of the fort and fleeing. Despite this, Hinda Baluch was captured, and the Balochi leaders were executed. Following the campaign, Haibat Khan subjugated upper Sindh as far asSehwan.

Conquest of Marwar (1543–1544)

Main article:Battle of Sammel

Portrait of Rao Maldeo Rathore

In 1543, Sher Shah Suri, with a force of 80,000 cavalry, set out againstMaldeo Rathore,theRajputking ofMarwar.Maldeo advanced to face Sher Shah's army, which halted in the village of Sammel in the pargana ofJaitaran,ninety kilometers east ofJodhpur.After a month of skirmishing, Sher Shah's position became dangerous due to supply difficulties for his large army. To resolve this, Sher Shah employed a cunning ploy by dropping forged letters near Maldeo's camp, falsely indicating that some of his commanders were promising assistance to Sher Shah. This caused great distress to Maldeo, who immediately suspected his commanders of disloyalty, leading him to abandon his commanders and retreat to Jodhpur with his men.

Maldeo's generals, Jaita and Kumpa, fought valiantly with a few thousand men against the Afghans, who had 80,000 men and some cannons. In the ensuing Battle of Sammel (also known as the Battle of Giri Sumel), Sher Shah emerged victorious, but several of his generals were killed, and his army suffered thousands of casualties.Following this victory, Sher Shah's generalKhawas Khan Marwattook possession of Jodhpur and occupied the territory of Marwar fromAjmertoMount Abuin 1544.

Death and legacy (1545)

Further information:Sher Shah Suri Tomb

Tomb of Sher Shah SuriatSasaram

The tomb (covered in green)

Following the conquest of Marwar, Sher Shah besiegedKalinjar Fortin 1544. Due to continuous resistance from the Rajputs, he failed to capture it by force and instead blockaded the fort for seven months.The circumstances regarding Sher Shah's death are uncertain. Some sources state that he was mortally wounded by agunpowderexplosion when one of his cannons burst. Another account suggests that during a battle, as he descended from arampartand ordered his men to hurl bombs into the fort, one bomb reflected back and hit a cache of bombs, causing a large explosion. Some people escaped with minor burns, Sher Shah was seenhalf-burnedand taken to his tent, where he remained for two days. Despite his critical condition, he ordered his men to swarm the fort, advancing close to the fort with his troops.Upon hearing that the fort had finally fallen, he remarked, "Thanks to Almighty god." Sher Shah succumbed to hiswoundsand died on 22 May 1545, at the age of 73 or 59.He was succeeded by his son, Jalal Khan, who took the nameIslam Shah Suri.Sher Shah was buried in thetomb of Sher Shah Suri,which stands in the middle of an artificial lake atSasaram,a town on theGrand Trunk Road.The tomb finished its construction on 16 August 1545, three months after his death.

Hermann Goetzposited that one of the motivations for Sher Shah choosing his birthplace, Sasaram, as the sight of his tomb, was that:

"For Sher Shah Sasaram was the very symbol of his life and glory".

Decades after his death, theTarikh-i-Sher Shahiwas commissioned by Akbar to detail the reign of Sher Shah. Written byAbbas Sarwani,the source was significant toward detailing the conquest of Bengal by Sher Shah as well as the magnitude of his reforms, and greatly benefited in contribution towards the history of medieval India.

Government and administration

Rupiyareleased by Sher Shah Suri, 1538–1545 CE, was the firstRupee

The system of tri-metalism which came to characterize Mughal coinage was introduced by Sher Shah.While the termrūpyahad previously been used as a generic term for any silver coin, during his rule the termrūpeecame to be used as the name for a silver coin of a standard weight of 178 grains, which was the precursor of the modernrupee.TheRupeeis today used as the national currency inIndia,Indonesia,Maldives,Mauritius,Nepal,Pakistan,Seychelles,andSri Lanka.Gold coinscalled theMohurweighing 169 grains and coppercoinscalled Paisa were also minted during his reign.According to numismatists Goron and Goenka, it is clear from coins dated AH 945 (1538 AD) that Sher Shah had assumed the royal title of Farid al-Din Sher Shah and had coins struck in his own name prior to the battle of Chausa.

Sher Shah was responsible for greatly rebuilding and modernizing theGrand Trunk Road,a major artery which runs all the way from modern dayBangladeshtoAfghanistan.Caravanserais (inns) and mosques were built and trees were planted along the entire stretch on both sides of the road to provide shade to travelers. Wells were also dug, especially along the western section. He also established an efficient postal system, with mail being carried by relays of horse riders.

Provincial and local administration

The Sur Empire was divided into manysubdivisionscalledIqtas,which were often ruled by military governors.Haibat Khan,who governed thePunjab,commanded over 30,000 men and could distribute jagirs to his soldiers.Khwas Khan,another military governor, ruled overRajasthanwith a force of over 20,000 men. The heads of Iqtas were known by various titles such asHakim,Faujdar,or Momin and typically commanded bodies of men usually numbering less than 5,000. Their responsibilities included maintaining order and enforcing law within their jurisdictions.

Iqtas were further divided intodistrictsknown asSarkars,each overseen by two chief officers: the Shiqar and the Munsif. The Shiqar was responsible for civil administration and could field 200-300 soldiers to maintain law and order. The Munsif handledrevenue collectionand civil justice, while chief Shiqars often dealt with criminal justice cases.

Sarkars were in turn divided into smaller units calledParganas.which consisted of a town and its surrounding villages. Each Pargana had a Shiqar, a Munsif, a Fotdar (treasurer), and a Karkun (clerk) proficient inHindiandPersian.The Shiqar of a Pargana was a military officer under the Sarkar's Shiqar's oversight and was responsible for maintaining stability and assisting the Munsif in land revenue collection and measurement. The Munsif in the Pargana was under the supervision of the chief Munsif in the Sarkar.

An open Panchayat in Narsingarh, Madhya Pradesh

Villages within the Parganas often operated autonomously and were governed by assemblies calledPanchayats.This was respected by Sher Shah during his reign. These assemblies consisted of village elders who managed local needs and enforced community-specific punishments. The village chief acted as a liaison between the village and the higher levels of government.

Religious policy

The religious policy of Sher Shah is debated amongst historians. Dr. Qanungo states that Sher Shah upheld religious tolerance towardHindus.Ram Sharma states that Sher Shah Suri was heavily devoted to his faith, always praying thefive prayers,while also claiming that Sher Shah's wars against the Rajputs were aJihad.The war againstPuran Malin particular was described as a Jihad, and his treatment ofMaldeowere argued as signs ofreligious intolerance.However, Sher Shah was always tolerant of Hindus, and did not bear grudges against them, or wageAnti-Hindu propaganda.

According to Srivastava, Sher Shah's balanced approach satisfied his fellow Muslims despite his lenient treatment of Hindus. Sher Shah's policy was that Islam would hold supremacy over the lands he conquered, but without displacingHinduism.

Army

Sher Shah's army defeated theMughal Empireand drove them out of India. He invitedAfghansfrom across the empire, giving them high positions and personally taking an interest in recruiting troops. Sher Shah promoted individuals based on merit rather thannepotism.The Afghan army emphasizedcavalry,while theirinfantrywere armed withmuskets.One of his military reforms included dividing his army into divisions, each led by a commander. Discipline was strict, with provisions supplied byBanjaraswho accompanied the army. Roles were assigned through the Dagh system, which also helped root out foreign spies.

Sher Shah consideredPashtoas a sign of friendliness, and gave higher salaries to Afghans who could speak Pashto in his army.By 1540, hisstanding armyconsisted of over 150,000 cavalrymen, 25,000 infantrymen, and over 5,000war elephants.

Social justice

One of the things Sher Shah Suri wasrenownedfor was his social justice. Courts were held byQadis,with Sher Shah himself observingcivil cases.Hindus settled their disputes inPanchayatassemblies, while in criminal cases, nobody was exempt from the law of the empire. The criminal law of the empire was extremely harsh to deter others from committing crimes out of fear of the repercussions. Sher Shah imposed heavy punishments on individuals in high posts, including government officials.

Sher Shah's reputation grew as he became known for being a formidable andjustruler, to the point wheremerchantscould travel and sleep in deserts without fear of being harassed bybanditsorrobbers.His soldiers acted as police, with the duty of finding thieves and robbers. Sher Shah Suri also implemented the reform of self-responsibility, assigning officials the duty to find culprits in cases such as murder; if they failed, they would be held responsible andhanged.Historians praise these reforms for their effectiveness.

Buildings

Main article:Indo-Islamic architecture

The Kabuli gate of Rohtas fort

Sher Shah built several monuments includingRohtas Fort(now aUNESCO World Heritage Sitein Pakistan), many structures in theRohtasgarh Fortin Bihar, theSher Shah Suri MasjidinPatna,theQila-i-Kuhna Mosqueinside thePurana Qilacomplex in Delhi, and the Sher Mandal, an octagonal building also inside the Purana Qila complex, which later served as the library of Humayun. He built a new city,Bhera,in present-day Pakistan in 1545, including within it a grand masjid named after him.Themausoleum of Sher Shah Suriwas described as one of the most beautiful monuments in India, due to its grandeur and dignity.Cunninghameven was inclined to prefer it over theTaj Mahal.

Trade

Among his reforms while consolidating the empire, Sher Shah Suriabolished taxesat the borders of provinces to invigoratetradethroughout India. Only two levies remained in place: one ongoodsbeing brought into the country and another when goods were sold. As a result,customs dutieswere entirely removed.

In popular culture

Sher Khan(1962), an IndianHindi-language action film by Radhakant starringKamaljeetin the titular role along withKumkum,is ostensibly based on the emperor's life.

The Jungle Book,made byRudyard Kipling,has its antagonistShere Khannamed after Sher Shah Suri.

See also

• Isa Khan Niazi
• Khalji dynasty
• List of rulers of Bengal
• Jahangir Kabir (politician)
• History of Bangladesh
• History of India
• Shershabadia

References

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