Sher Shah Suri and the Sur Empire (1540–1556)
Medieval History › Mughal Period · Topic 6.9
Born Farid and given the title Sher Khan, Sher Shah Suri became ruler of Delhi after Kanauj (1540) at about 54 and built the mightiest north Indian empire since Muhammad bin Tughlaq, from Bengal to the Indus. He overran Malwa and most of Rajasthan after Samel (1544), died at Kalinjar in 1545, and his Afghan state fell into civil war after Islam Shah's death in 1553, letting Humayun return in 1555.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Mughal Period
At a Glance
- Original name Farid; title Sher Khan
- Rule 1540 to 1545
- Extent Bengal to the Indus, excluding Kashmir; Malwa and most of Rajasthan
- Key battle Samel, 1544
- Successor Islam Shah, to 1553
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Mughal Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the ninth topic of the category on the Mughal period. The previous topic described how Sher Khan defeated Humayun, and this topic describes his empire. The next topic covers his administrative reforms in detail. Previous topic: Humayun’s Bengal Campaign and Struggle with Sher Khan (Sher Shah Suri).
Who Was Sher Shah?
In short: Sher Shah was an Afghan jagirdar’s son who rose through administrative experience and military skill to rule Delhi at about the age of 54.
His original name was Farid, and his father was a small jagirdar at Jaunpur. Farid gained sound administrative experience by looking after the affairs of his father’s jagir. After the defeat and death of Ibrahim Lodi and the confusion in Afghan affairs, he emerged as one of the most important Afghan sardars. The title Sher Khan was given by his patron for killing a tiger (sher) or for services rendered. Sher Khan became the right hand of the ruler of Bihar and its master in all but name, before Babur’s death, so his rise was not sudden. Not much else is known of his early life.
How Big Was the Sur Empire?
Sher Shah ruled the mightiest empire to have existed in north India since Muhammad bin Tughlaq. It extended from Bengal to the Indus, excluding Kashmir. In the west he conquered Malwa and almost the whole of Rajasthan. In Malwa came an episode that is a blot on his memory: Puran Mai, who held a powerful fort, vacated it on a binding oath of safe conduct, but he and about 1000 Rajputs with their families were treacherously attacked and killed outside. Theologians ruled that no faith need be kept with an infidel and that Puran Mai deserved punishment for oppressing Muslims.
What Happened in Rajasthan?
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maldeo of Marwar | Ascended in 1532; brought western and northern Rajasthan under control, took Ajmer with the Bhatis of Jaisalmer and conquered Bikaner, where the ruler was killed |
| Why a threat | Maldeo was believed to have an army of 50,000; the contention was eastern Rajasthan, and there is no evidence he coveted Delhi or Agra |
| Samel (1544) | The armies clashed between Ajmer and Jodhpur; Maldeo, thinking attack on the fortified Afghan camp suicidal without strong artillery, tried to withdraw, and divided counsel and letters dropped by Sher Shah near his camp made him pull back the bulk of his forces |
| Rajput stand | About 10,000 Rajputs who refused to retreat attacked Sher Shah’s centre and created confusion, but numbers and Afghan gunfire halted them |
| Result | Sher Shah conquered Ajmer and Jodhpur; Maldeo took shelter in Siwana and died soon after; the rana of Mewar sent the keys of Chittor and outposts were set up up to Mount Abu |
In a brief period of ten months Sher Shah overran almost the whole of Rajasthan.
How Did the Sur Rule End?
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1540 | Sher Shah ascends the throne of Delhi after Kanauj |
| 1544 | Samel |
| 1545 | Gun bursts during the siege of Kalinjar, the key to Bundelkhand; Sher Shah dies after hearing the fort has been captured |
| 1545 to 1553 | Second son Islam Shah rules; capable but busy with brothers’ rebellions and Afghan tribal feuds |
| 1553 onwards | Islam Shah dies young; civil war among his successors |
| 1555 | Humayun defeats the Afghans in two hotly contested battles and recovers Delhi and Agra |
How Should the Sur State Be Judged?
The Sur empire may be considered a continuation and culmination of the Delhi Sultanat, with the advent of Babur and Humayun an interregnum. Sher Shah established a sound administration in a brief reign of five years. The state under the Surs, however, remained an Afghan institution based on race and tribe: Jizyah continued to be collected from Hindus, and his nobility was drawn almost exclusively from Afghans. A fundamental change came only with Akbar. The details of his administration are in Sher Shah’s Administrative Reforms (Currency System, Roads, Sarais, Land Revenue Settlement).
As an analytical point, Sher Shah’s career shows that Mughal rule in 1526 had not yet put down roots: a single capable Afghan leader could reverse it within a decade. His weakness was overcentralisation, since no one person could manage all affairs and the effects showed once a masterful ruler left the throne. For the sequel, see Bairam Khan for Akbar; Hemu for Adil Shah Turning point An arrow…">Second Battle of Panipat (1556) – Akbar’s Victory over Hemu.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Interregnum Explains the break in Mughal rule
- Samel and Kalinjar Common dated facts
- Link Prepares the administrative reforms
What Came Next?
The next topic describes Sher Shah’s administrative reforms. Next topic: Sher Shah’s Administrative Reforms (Currency System, Roads, Sarais, Land Revenue Settlement).
Key People and Terms
- Sur Afghan dynasty of Sher Shah
- Farid Sher Shah’s original name
- Maldeo Ruler of Marwar
- Samel 1544 battle site
- Kalinjar Fort and key to Bundelkhand
- Islam Shah Sher Shah’s second son
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Original name: Farid.
- Empire from Bengal to the Indus, excluding Kashmir.
- Samel: 1544; Kalinjar: 1545.
- Islam Shah ruled till 1553.
- Nobility drawn almost entirely from Afghans.
Do Not Confuse With
- Sher Khan and Sher Shah Title before accession versus title as ruler
- Samel and Kalinjar Rajasthan battle of 1544 versus the Bundelkhand siege of 1545
- Maldeo and Rana Sanga Ruler of Marwar versus the Mewar ruler who fought Babur
Memory Hook
Farid becomes Sher, Delhi in 1540, Samel in 1544, a burst gun in 1545.
Mains Angle
Questions on Sher Shah ask about the Sur empire and its limits. These points add depth.
- Extent Bengal to the Indus
- Conquests Malwa and Rajasthan
- Limits Afghan base, overcentralisation
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How did Sher Shah build the Sur empire, and why did it not last?”
How to Answer
- Rise From Farid to Sher Khan.
- Conquest Malwa, Samel, Rajasthan.
- Death Kalinjar, 1545.
- Fall Civil war and 1555.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sher Shah Suri?
Sher Shah Suri, originally Farid, was an Afghan jagirdar's son who rose to be master of Bihar and then defeated Humayun at Kanauj in 1540. He ruled Delhi until 1545 and built the largest north Indian empire since Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
What was the extent of the Sur empire?
The Sur empire extended from Bengal to the Indus, excluding Kashmir, and included Malwa and almost the whole of Rajasthan. It was the mightiest empire in north India since the time of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
What was the battle of Samel?
Samel was fought in 1544 between Sher Shah and Maldeo of Marwar. Maldeo withdrew most of his forces after suspicion and divided counsel, and the remaining Rajputs, about 10,000, were defeated by Afghan numbers and gunfire.
How did Sher Shah die?
Sher Shah died in 1545 while besieging Kalinjar, a strong fort that was the key to Bundelkhand. A gun burst and severely injured him, and he died after hearing that the fort had been captured.
How did Humayun return to power?
After Islam Shah died young in 1553 his successors fought a civil war, which gave Humayun the chance he had sought. In two hotly contested battles in 1555 he defeated the Afghans and recovered Delhi and Agra.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Sher Shah's original name was Farid.
The title Sher Khan came from his patron.
2 Sher Shah died during the siege of Kalinjar.
A gun burst in 1545.
3 The Sur empire included Kashmir.
It extended from Bengal to the Indus excluding Kashmir.
4 Sher Shah abolished the Jizyah on Hindus.
It continued to be collected.
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