Medieval India

Sher Shah Suri Empire (1540–55): Second Afghan Empire

By Examguru / 08 Jul, 2025 / Download PDF

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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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