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Medieval India
Sher Shah Suri Empire (1540–55): Second Afghan Empire
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- Sher Shah Suri Empire (1540–55): Second Afghan Empire
- Introduction - Indian History
- Historical Sources (Literary & Archaeological Source)
- Human Evolution Pre-Historic Period
- The Stone Age/Lithic Age 30,00,000 BC to 1,000 BC
- 7 Highlights of India's Prehistoric Ages
- Origin & Culture of Aryans in Vedic India
- Mahajanapada Period (600 BC- 325 BC)
- Religious Movements (600 BC - 400 BC) – Jainism, Buddhism
- Maurya Period (322 BC - 155 BC)
- Post-Maurya/Pre-Gupta Period (185BC-319 AD)
- The Sangam Period (1st-3rd Century AD)
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- Early Medieval Period: Rajputs to Cholas Overview
- History of Delhi Sultanate
- Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD)
- Religious Movements in 15th -16th Centuries
- Timeline of Mughal Period (1526-1857)
- The Advent of the Europeans From (1498-1763)
- Expansion of British Power in India
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- India's First War of Freedom Struggle 1857
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- Mesolithic Age in India (9,000 BC - 4,000 BC)
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Sher Shah Suri Empire (1540–55): Second Afghan Empire
Sher Shah (1540–45)
-
He was the son of Hasan Khan, the Jagirdar of Sasaram.
-
Ibrahim Lodhi transferred his father's jagir to him.
-
In 1527–28, he joined Babur's service and then returned to South Bihar as deputy governor and guardian of the minor king Jalal Khan Lohani, son of Bahar Khan Lohani.
Administrative Units & Officials:
Administrative Unit |
Head/Officials |
|---|---|
|
Iqta (Province) |
Haqim and Amin |
|
Sarkar (District) |
Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran and Munsif-i-Munsifan |
|
Pargana (Taluka) |
Shiqdar and Munsif |
|
Gram (Village) |
Muqaddam and Amil |
Rise of Sher Shah:
-
Sher Shah usurped the throne as Hazarat-i-Ala.
-
He gained Chunar by marrying Lad Malika, the widow of the governor of Chunar Fort.
-
In 1539, he defeated Humayun in the Battle of Chausa and assumed the title of Sher Shah as emperor.
-
In 1540, he again defeated Humayun in the Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram) and annexed Kannauj.
Military Conquests as Emperor:
-
Malwa (1542)
-
Ranthambhore (1542)
-
Raisin (1543)
-
Rajputana (Annexation of Marwar – 1542, Chittor – 1544)
-
Kalinjar (1545) – He died during this conquest in 1545.
Key Contributions and Reforms:
-
During his brief 5-year reign, he introduced:
-
Brilliant administration
-
Land revenue policy
-
Measures to improve the economic conditions of his subjects
-
-
He issued a coin called the Rupia.
-
Fixed standard weights and measures throughout the empire.
-
Improved communications by building highways, especially the Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road) from Calcutta to Peshawar.
-
Established cantonments in various parts of the empire with strong garrisons.
Law and Order:
-
Introduced local responsibility for local crimes.
-
Muqaddams were punished for failing to catch the culprits.
Land Revenue System:
-
The land was measured.
-
One-third of the average produce was fixed as land tax.
-
Peasants received a Patta (title deed) and Qabuliyat (deed of agreement), which outlined:
-
Peasant's rights
-
Taxes
-
-
Zamindars were removed, and taxes were collected directly.
Architecture and Legacy:
-
He built Purana Quila in Delhi.
-
Buried in Sasaram.
Successors:
-
Islam Shah (1545–54) succeeded Sher Shah.
-
Muhammad Adil Shah (1554–55) succeeded Islam Shah.
Final Thoughts
Sher Shah Suri’s reign, though brief, was marked by visionary reforms and administrative brilliance.
He laid the foundation for a modern, efficient empire with strong governance, a robust land revenue system, and infrastructural advancements like the Grand Trunk Road. His policies ensured justice, accountability, and economic stability.
By removing corrupt intermediaries and empowering peasants, he revolutionized rural administration. Sher Shah's legacy deeply influenced later Mughal rulers and remains a milestone in medieval Indian history.
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