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Adapted from Sur Empire, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for audio. This HearLore entry is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sur Empire

Sher Shah Suri was born in 1472 or 1486, yet by the age of 59, he had dismantled the Mughal Empire and seized the throne of Northern India. His rise began not with a coronation, but with a relentless series of military campaigns that started in 1537. He targeted the Bengal Sultanate, prompting its ruler to beg for help from Humayun, the Mughal emperor. Humayun mobilized an army in July 1537 and advanced to Chunar, laying siege to the fort for over six months. Despite the efforts of Rumi Khan to capture the city quickly, the siege dragged on until the fort finally fell. Sher Shah then led a second invasion into Bengal, besieging Gauda, which fell to Afghan forces in April 1538. With the fort of Rohtasgarh also falling under his control in March 1538, he used it as a base to house Afghan families and store the loot from the war, transferring the wealth from Gaur to Rohtasgarh. This victory marked his first coronation, but the true test of his power was yet to come. Humayun, refusing to leave Bengal in the hands of a hostile state, continued the war, but Sher Shah's strategic brilliance would soon turn the tide against the Mughals.

The Battle That Changed History

The Battle of Chausa, fought on the 26th of June 1539, stands as one of the most decisive moments in Indian history. Humayun, having been stranded at Gauda due to poor weather and a lack of communication lines, rushed to settle for peace with Sher Khan. He crossed the Karmanasa River, where he could easily be attacked by the Afghans. Sher Shah, seeing the fragile state of the Mughal army, attacked the Mughal army led by Humayun at the Battle of Chausa. The Afghans descended on the Mughals and caught them off guard, resulting in the complete rout of the Mughals. Humayun barely escaped with his life, and the Mughals suffered over 7,000 dead, with many prominent noblemen dead. Following this defeat, Humayun returned to Agra and restored order after disturbances from his brother, Hindal Mirza. He mobilized a large force, advancing with an army of 40,000, while Sher Shah amassed 15,000. Humayun met Sher Shah at Kannauj, with both armies mirroring each other across the Ganges river. Humayun crossed the river and began skirmishing with Sher Shah's army. Amidst the fighting, Humayun's army saw many nobles hiding their insignia to prevent them from being recognized by the Afghans, with many nobles also fleeing from the battle. The Mughal army was defeated, which led to Humayun fleeing to Sindh. Following this victory, Sher Khan was crowned a second time on the 17th of May 1540 as Sher Shah, being declared as Emperor of Northern India, while also donning the epithet of Sultan Adil, meaning 'Just King'. With the defeat and flight of Humayun, Sher Shah captured Delhi, marking the beginning of the Sur Empire.

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Common questions

When was the Sur Empire established in Northern India?

The Sur Empire was established in Northern India between 1538 and 1540. Sher Shah Suri seized the throne of Northern India after defeating Humayun and was crowned Emperor of Northern India on the 17th of May 1540.

What were the key battles that led to the rise of Sher Shah Suri?

The Battle of Chausa on the 26th of June 1539 and the Battle of Kannauj in 1540 were the key battles that led to the rise of Sher Shah Suri. These victories resulted in the complete rout of the Mughal army and the flight of Humayun to Sindh.

How did Sher Shah Suri reform the administration of Bengal?

Sher Shah Suri divided Bengal into 47 smaller administrative divisions overseen by a shiqdar and supervised by Kazi Fajilot. These reforms promoted the settlement of Afghans in the region and created a stable system to support the empire's growth.

What infrastructure projects did Sher Shah Suri implement during his reign?

Sher Shah Suri rebuilt and modernized the Grand Trunk Road from modern-day Bangladesh to Afghanistan. He also built caravanserais, mosques, planted trees, dug wells, and established an efficient postal system using relays of horse riders.

When and how did Sher Shah Suri die?

Sher Shah Suri died on the 22nd of May 1545 after being mortally wounded by a gunpowder explosion during the siege of Kalinjar Fort. He was 73 or 59 years old at the time of his death and was succeeded by his son Jalal Khan.

When did the Sur Empire end and who defeated it?

The Sur Empire ended in the summer of 1557 when Sikandar Shah Suri surrendered to Mughal forces led by Bairam Khan on the 25th of July 1557. The Mughal reconquest defeated the Sur dynasty which had held control from Balochistan to modern-day Bangladesh.

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Reforming the Heart of Bengal

Realizing the importance of Bengal, Sher Shah focused much of his administrative efforts in the region. Khijir Khan, the governor of Bengal under Sher Shah, led a revolt in March 1541. Sher Shah mobilized an army and led it himself, defeating Khijir Khan and restoring Bengal under his suzerainty. Bengal was divided into 47 smaller administrative divisions, appointing them under a shiqdar, which would be overseen by Kazi Fajilot as the chief supervisor of the Muqtars. These reforms saw the prominence of Afghans in Bengal, with many Afghans moving and settling in the region. Some of the Afghans who settled in the region would go on to establish the Muhammad Shahi dynasty, which ruled Bengal from 1553 to 1563, and the Karrani dynasty, which ruled from 1563 to 1576. The administrative reforms in Bengal were not just about control; they were about creating a stable and efficient system that would support the empire's growth. Sher Shah's focus on Bengal demonstrated his ability to adapt and govern diverse regions, ensuring that the heart of his empire remained strong and loyal.

The Road to Power and Justice

Sher Shah's influence extended far beyond the battlefield, as he implemented reforms that would shape the future of Indian administration. He rebuilt and modernized the Grand Trunk Road, a major artery which runs all the way from modern-day Bangladesh to Afghanistan. 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. His reforms in the Punjab and the subjugation of the Gakhars further solidified his control. Sher Shah entered conflict with the Gakhars, who had always been difficult to subjugate, and caused issues amongst former rulers in the region. Sher Shah resorted to diplomacy, inviting the Gakhar chief and asking him to acknowledge him as the emperor of India. The Gakhar chief gave an insulting response, which enraged Sher Shah. Sher Shah marched through the Punjab and subjugated the Gakhars, laying waste to much of the countryside and taking many prisoners. He also constructed the Rohtas Fort. To further secure his rule over the Gakhars, and to wade off any threat of Mughal return, he left 50,000 men in the Punjab, while he returned toward the Bengal, whose governor he placed was becoming unruly. These actions demonstrated his ability to balance military might with administrative efficiency, ensuring that his empire remained stable and prosperous.

The Siege That Sealed His Legacy

In 1544, Sher Shah besieged Kalinjar Fort, a strategic location that would become the site of his death. While leading the siege, he was mortally wounded from a gunpowder explosion from one of his cannons bursting. Sher Shah was taken to his tent where he remained for two days. When he received the news that the fort finally fell, he remarked: 'Thanks to Almighty god'. Sher Shah succumbed to his wounds and died on the 22nd of May 1545, at the age of 73 or 59. He was succeeded by his son, Jalal Khan, who took the title of Islam Shah Suri. Sher Shah was buried in the Sher Shah Suri Tomb (122 ft high), which stands in the middle of an artificial lake at Sasaram, a town on the Grand Trunk Road. The tomb, whose construction Sher Shah had commissioned himself, was completed on the 16th of August 1545, three months after the death of Sher Shah. The construction of the tomb and the surrounding infrastructure reflected his vision for a lasting legacy, one that would endure long after his death. The tomb's grandeur and dignity have been praised by historians, with some even preferring it over the Taj Mahal.

The Empire's Final Days

Following Sher Shah's death, the Sur Empire faced internal strife and external threats. His son, Islam Shah Suri, took the throne, but the empire began to crumble under the weight of civil wars and Mughal reconquest. One of the last events of the Mughal reconquest occurred in the summer of 1557, with the Siege of Mankot (1557), where Sikandar Shah Suri had taken refuge. Sikandar surrendered to the Mughal forces led by Bairam Khan on the 25th of July 1557, after 6 months of stiff resistance using artillery and matchlocks. Sikandar was pardoned and entered the service of emperor Akbar, but soon fell out of favor. The Sur dynasty, which had held control of nearly all the Mughal territories, from Balochistan in the west to modern-day Bangladesh in the east, was eventually defeated. Despite its short reign, the Sur Empire significantly influenced Mughal administrative reforms when they returned to power, most notably under Mughal Emperor Akbar. The legacy of Sher Shah Suri lived on, shaping the future of Indian administration and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the subcontinent.