SHER SHAH SURI AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Introduction
Sher Shah defeated Humayun badly in the Battle of Kannauj (1540) and took control of the Mughal Empire.
He rose from humble beginnings to great power and is considered one of history’s great rulers.
He was an ethnic Pashtun (Afghan).
Humayun failed to understand Afghan power and was defeated by Sher Khan (later Sher Shah).
After this victory, the Sur Empire (Second Afghan Empire) was established.
2. Sher Shah Suri (AD 1540–1545)
Sher Shah Suri (1486–1545) founded the Sur Empire with its capital at Sasaram (Bihar).
His father was Hasan Khan, a jagirdar of Sasaram.
His original name was Farid, and he received the title Sher Khan for bravery while serving the Afghan ruler of Bihar.
At age 54, he defeated Humayun in the Battle of Chausa and assumed control in 1540.
He was one of the most remarkable rulers of the Medieval period.
He appointed both Hindus and Muslims to important posts and was known for religious tolerance.
He was the greatest Sur ruler since Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Extent of Empire
Except for Kashmir, his empire covered almost all North India from Bengal to the Indus.
In the west, he conquered Malwa and most of Rajasthan.
His last campaign was against Kalinjar Fort (Bundelkhand); during the siege, he was severely injured by a cannon explosion and died in 1545 after the fort was captured.
3. Major Achievements
He introduced the Rupee as currency.
He built a new city near the Yamuna along with Purana Qila (Old Fort) and a magnificent mosque in Delhi.
He constructed the grand Sasaram Mausoleum, one of the finest examples of Indian architecture.
During his reign, Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote the Hindi masterpiece Padmavat, narrating the love story of Ratan Singh and Padmavati and the conflict with Alauddin Khilji.
After his death in 1545, he was succeeded by his sons.
His younger son Islam Shah ruled till 1553, though Sher Shah had nominated his elder son Adil Khan, but nobles preferred Islam Shah.
Humayun regained India in 1555.
4. Process of Expansion
After defeating Humayun at Kannauj, he was formally crowned.
His main aim was to expel the Mughals permanently.
Mughal internal divisions made his task easier.
Humayun’s brother Kamran refused to help him, forcing Humayun to wander in Sindh.
Sher Shah did not try to absorb independent Afghan tribes fully; hence his domain extended up to the Indus.
He conquered the Gakhhars of the Salt Range and built the strong Rohtas Fort to prevent Mughal invasions.
Todar Mal was assigned to complete this work.
5. Sher Shah’s Administration
Sher Shah introduced improvements in Sultanate administration.
(A) Administrative Structure
The village was the smallest unit.
The village headman was called Muqaddam, responsible for law and order and acting as link between village and government.
Several villages formed a Pargana.
Several parganas formed a Shiqq (equivalent to Mughal Sarkar).
In provinces like Punjab, Bengal, and Malwa, several shiqqs were placed under an officer equivalent to a Mughal Subadar.
There were 66 Sarkars (Shiqqs) in the empire.
Important Officials
Shiqdar: Collected revenue at pargana level and was regularly transferred.
Two Karkuns (clerks) assisted the Shiqdar and kept records in Hindi and Persian.
Patwari: Village record keeper from village community (not state employee).
Munsif: Measured land.
Munsif-i-Munsifan: Performed duties similar to Mughal Amin at Sarkar level.
Qanungo: Maintained pargana records and was hereditary semi-official.
Fotadar: In charge of pargana treasury.
Accounts were maintained in Persian and Hindavi.
Central Ministers
The ruler was assisted by Diwan-i-Arz (Military), Diwan-i-Wizarat (Finance), Diwan-i-Insha (Correspondence), Diwan-i-Risalat (Foreign Affairs/Religious matters).
(B) Land Revenue System
Land was carefully surveyed and classified as good, middle, and bad.
Revenue system based on Patta and Qabuliat.
Patta recorded the amount to be paid by each peasant.
A cess of 2½ seers per bigha was levied for famine relief.
The state took one-third of average produce, payable in cash or kind.
Silver coins called Dam were introduced and remained in circulation till 1835.
(C) Roads and Communication
He improved communication by constructing highways.
Extended Grand Trunk Road from Chittagong (Bengal) to Kabul (Afghanistan).
Rebuilt the old imperial road from Indus to Sonargaon.
Built road from Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor.
Built road from Lahore to Multan.
(D) Sarai System
Built Sarais (rest houses) every 2 kos (8 km).
Sarais were fortified lodges for travelers.
Separate quarters for Hindus and Muslims.
Brahmins provided food and lodging for Hindu travelers.
Villages were encouraged around Sarais.
Each Sarai had watchmen under a Shahna.
Built 1700 Sarais.
Many Sarais later became Qasbas (market towns).
Sarais and Dak-chowkis served as news centers.
His roads and Sarais were called “arteries of the empire.”
(E) Trade and Customs
Customs duty collected only at two places:
At Sikrigali (Bihar–Bengal border).
At the Indus border for goods from West and Central Asia.
Customs collection inside cities, ferries, and roads was prohibited.
Duty was paid again when goods were sold.
Governors and amils were ordered to treat merchants respectfully.
Muqaddams and zamindars were held responsible for merchant losses.
(F) Military Reforms
Reorganized army efficiently.
Adopted branding of horses (dagh system) from Alauddin Khalji.
Soldiers were given descriptive rolls called Chehra.
Tribal chiefs commanded tribal levies.
Soldiers were recruited after character examination.
Built a strong army to control vast empire.
(G) Law and Order
Restored strict law and order.
Harshly punished thieves, dacoits, and tax-defaulters.
If crime occurred in a village, Muqaddam and Zamindars were punished.
According to historian Akbar Khan, even an old woman carrying gold could travel safely.
Police system reorganized efficiently.
Invaded Bengal and defeated them in Battle of Surajgarh.
Humayun called him “Ustad-i-Badshahan” (Teacher of Kings).
(H) Justice and Religion
He believed “Justice is the most excellent of religious rites.”
Appointed Qazis for justice.
Islam Shah later codified laws.
He was not a religious bigot but also not fully liberal.
Hindus had to pay Jizya.
Administrative officers were mainly Afghans.
6. Architecture During Sher Shah Suri
Architecture divided into two phases:
Phase 1 (1530–1540, Sasaram – Bihar)
Tombs constructed in advanced Lodi style.
Aliwal Khan built tomb of Hasan Sur Khan (1525).
The Tomb of Sher Shah at Sasaram, built with Chunar sandstone in a tank setting, became a masterpiece and influenced Indo-Islamic architecture.
Phase 2 (1540–1545, Delhi)
Built Purana Qila (Shergarh).
Only two gateways survive today.
Built Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid (1542).
Mosque had four-centred arches, rectangular frames, chajja, merlons, and balanced composition.
Represented transition toward Mughal architecture.
7. Character of Sher Shah
Passionate seeker of knowledge and farsighted.
Disciplined, dutiful, hardworking, forward thinker.
Mastered Arabic and Persian and studied history and literature.
Patron of scholars.
Disliked his father’s partiality toward stepmother.
Had great passion for architecture.
Compassionate toward peasants and poor.
Became king at 68 but remained energetic.
Excelled as soldier, conqueror, and administrator.
Historian K.R. Qanungo says he had some weaknesses like Aurangzeb.
Though not as powerful as Akbar, he is considered Akbar’s predecessor.
8. Conclusion
The last Sur ruler Muhammad Adil Shah was incompetent.
Humayun returned in 1555 and defeated Sikandar Sur at Sirhind.
Sur Empire is considered the culmination of the Delhi Sultanate.
It left a lasting impact through its administration, architecture, culture, and territorial expansion.
