5.2 Humayun (1530–1540 CE, and 1555–1556 CE)

5.2 Humayun (1530–1540 CE, and 1555–1556 CE)

• Faced serious challenges from Afghan rebel Sher Shah Suri (originally Farid Khan) and from his own brothers.
• Defeated by Sher Shah Suri at the Battle of Chausa (1539 CE) and again decisively at the Battle of Kannauj/Bilgram (1540 CE) — lost his throne and went into exile (Sindh, Rajasthan, and finally Persia, where he took refuge with the Safavid Shah).
• During exile, his son Akbar was born (1542 CE, at Amarkot, Rajasthan).
• Regained the Mughal throne in 1555 CE, with Persian military assistance, after the death of Sher Shah Suri's successors.
• Died in 1556 CE — accidentally fell down the stairs of his library (Sher Mandal, Delhi).

Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545 CE) — The Suri Interregnum (In Depth)

• Though not "Mughal," Sher Shah's brief but highly significant rule (as Emperor of Delhi, ruling the "Sur Empire," 1540–1555 CE dynasty overall) between Humayun's two reigns is crucial for administrative history — heavily tested in SSC/RRB exams.
• Administrative reforms (foundation for later Mughal, especially Akbar's, administration):
  • Land revenue system: Conducted systematic land measurement (survey) and classification of land into good, middling, and bad categories; fixed revenue as a share of average produce (roughly 1/3, per some accounts) payable in cash or kind; issued "Patta" (title deed) and "Qabuliyat" (deed of agreement) to cultivators — direct settlement between state and peasant, reducing middlemen exploitation. This system was later refined and expanded by Akbar's revenue minister Todar Mal into the "Zabti/Dahsala" system.
  • Currency reform: Introduced a well-regulated silver coin called the "Rupiya" (predecessor of the modern rupee) and copper "Dam" — standardized currency that continued to influence Mughal and even later British-Indian coinage.
  • Roads and communication: Built/renovated the Grand Trunk (G.T.) Road (from Sonargaon in Bengal to Peshawar/Attock) — with Sarais (rest houses) at regular intervals for travelers and trade caravans.
  • Administrative divisions: Empire divided into Sarkars (districts), further into Parganas; officials included Shiqdar (law and order), Munsif/Amin (revenue and justice) at the Pargana level.
  • Military: Maintained a strong, centrally paid (not Iqta-based) standing army; built the impressive Rohtas Fort (Punjab, present Pakistan) to check Afghan/tribal incursions.
  • Efficient postal/intelligence system (Dak Chowki).
  • Known for justice — "adopted" the philosophy of even-handed justice regardless of the status of the accused (semi-legendary but frequently cited).
• Died in 1545 CE during the siege of Kalinjar Fort due to an accidental gunpowder explosion.
• His reforms had a lasting influence on Mughal administration, particularly under Akbar.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Babur, Humayun, Sher Shah

• Babur: Panipat I (1526) vs Ibrahim Lodi; Khanwa (1527) vs Rana Sanga; wrote Baburnama.
• Humayun: defeated by Sher Shah at Chausa (1539) & Kannauj (1540); regained throne 1555; died 1556 (fall from library stairs).
• Sher Shah Suri: Rupiya currency; Patta-Qabuliyat system; G.T. Road; Sarai system; died at Kalinjar Fort (1545).
• Akbar born 1542 CE at Amarkot (Sindh) during Humayun's exile.