Sher Shah Suri
When we talk about the Mughal Empire, we often think of great emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, or Shah Jahan. But in this imperial journey, there’s a short but extraordinarily impactful interlude — the Sur Dynasty, founded by a remarkable Afghan ruler: Sher Shah Suri. Though he ruled only for five years, his reforms left a blueprint that even the Mughals later followed.
🟨 Early Life: From Farid to Sher Shah
Sher Shah’s real name was Farid, born into the family of a Jagirdar (landholder). His early administrative training came from managing his father’s jagir, where he learned the nuances of governance.
His life took a dramatic turn when he killed a tiger — earning the title “Sher Khan” (Sher = lion/tiger, Khan = nobleman). Later, after ascending to the throne of Delhi, he became known as Sher Shah Suri and established the Sur Dynasty in 1540 CE, after defeating Humayun at the Battle of Kanauj.
Following the fall of the Lodis, Sher Shah emerged as a prominent Afghan sardar (chieftain) in Bihar and quickly expanded his power.
🟨 Extent of His Empire
Sher Shah ruled over the largest empire in North India since Muhammad bin Tughlaq. His dominion stretched:
- East to West: From Bengal to the Indus River
- North to South: Up to Malwa and Rajasthan, excluding Kashmir
His final military campaign was against the fortress of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand. Although victorious, he was fatally injured by a gunpowder explosion and died in 1545 CE.
🔶 Administrative Genius of Sher Shah
Sher Shah wasn’t just a conqueror; he was a brilliant administrator. He adapted and improved upon the centralised administrative machinery inherited from the Delhi Sultanate.
✅ Law and Order
Sher Shah dealt sternly with dacoits, rebellious zamindars, and all those disrupting governance. His rule brought discipline and fear — a necessary condition for stability in a vast empire.
✅ Administrative Hierarchy: A Pyramid of Efficiency
The entire empire was broken down into clearly defined administrative units:
| Level | Unit | Officials in Charge |
| Provincial Level | Iqta | Haqim and Amin |
| District Level | Shiq/Sarkar | Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran (Faujdar) & Munsif |
| Sub-district Level | Pargana | Shiqdar (Law & Order) and Amil (Revenue) |
| Village Level | Grama | Amil and Muqaddam (Village Head) |
This multi-tiered system ensured that both governance and tax collection were carried out with accountability.
🔶 Military Reforms: Precision and Discipline
Sher Shah built a well-disciplined standing army. Inspired by Alauddin Khalji, he introduced:
- Chehra: Every soldier had a descriptive roll (profile) recorded.
- Dagh System: Horses were branded to prevent the use of substandard animals.
This prevented corruption and ensured quality control in the military ranks.
🔶 Justice System: Uncompromising and Fair
Sher Shah was committed to justice, regardless of the offender’s rank or relation. Qazis were appointed at various locations for Islamic legal matters, while zamindars and village panchayats continued to handle local disputes.
His successor, Islam Shah, made a significant legal advancement by codifying the laws, reducing dependence on individual jurists’ interpretations of Shariah.
🔶 Land Revenue Reforms: Foundation of Modern Revenue Systems
Sher Shah’s land revenue system is often hailed as a model system and laid the groundwork for Akbar’s reforms later.
- Cultivable land was surveyed and classified into Good, Middle, and Bad categories.
- State’s share: One-third of average produce, paid in cash or crop.
- Measurements, not guesswork, became the basis of taxation.
- Each cultivator was issued a patta (record of land size and dues).
- Extra charges were prohibited; a famine cess was introduced (2.5 seers per bigha).
🔶 Promotion of Trade and Commerce
Sher Shah revived and extended the legendary Grand Trunk Road from the Indus River to Sonargaon (in Bengal). He also built four strategic highways:
- Sonargaon to Sind
- Agra to Burhampur
- Jodhpur to Chittor
- Lahore to Multan
Along these routes, sarais (rest houses) were built every two kos (~8 km). These became centers of commerce and news (dak-chowki), often evolving into qasbas (market towns). Lodgings were inclusive, with separate quarters for Hindus and Muslims.
🔶 Merchant Protection and Highway Safety
Sher Shah made village officials personally responsible for robberies or murders on highways. If a trader suffered a loss, the muqaddam or zamindar had to:
- Recover the stolen goods, or
- Identify the criminals, or
- Face punishment themselves
Though harsh, this law ensured a secure trade environment, which was rare in medieval times.
🔶 Currency Reforms: Standardization of Coinage
To boost trade, Sher Shah introduced high-quality, standardized currency:
- Gold, silver, and copper coins
- Most notably, the silver Rupia (Rupee) — so well-minted that it continued unchanged for centuries even after his death.
🔶 Art, Architecture, and Literature
Sher Shah also left a legacy in architecture and culture:
- His tomb at Sasaram is considered a masterpiece, representing a transition between pre-Mughal and Mughal architectural styles.
- He built a new city near Delhi, of which only the Purana Qila (Old Fort) and its mosque remain today.
- Literary patronage continued under his rule. Works like “Padmavat” by Malik Muhammad Jaisi in Hindi were completed during this period.
🔷 The Mughal Comeback: Humayun’s Return
After being defeated by Sher Shah in 1540, Humayun wandered — literally and politically. He took shelter in Sindh, where he married Hamida Banu Begum. In 1542, Akbar was born at Amarkot, a Rajput kingdom ruled by Rana Prasad.
Eventually, Humayun sought help from the Safavid ruler of Iran, and with his assistance, he captured Qandhar and Kabul by 1545. Akbar, who had been captured by his uncle Kamran, was reunited with his parents during this period.
🟩 Restoration of the Mughals
As the Sur Dynasty crumbled after Islam Shah’s early death in 1553 and internal civil wars broke out, Humayun saw his chance.
- In 1555, he defeated the Sur rulers in two major battles and recaptured Delhi and Agra.
- But fate was cruel. Just six months later, he slipped on the stairs of his library and died — leaving the empire to a 13-year-old Akbar, who would go on to become one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
✅ Conclusion
Sher Shah Suri was a ruler between dynasties, but his impact was far greater than the time he ruled. He was a practical visionary, who laid strong foundations for:
- Revenue systems
- Administrative hierarchy
- Infrastructure
- Justice and currency
Even the mighty Mughals, upon their return, acknowledged the efficiency of his institutions. His life is proof that even a short reign can cast a long shadow if guided by foresight and firm governance.