Sher Shah Suri (1540-55)

Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan monarch, is credited as the architect of the Sur dynasty in India. Born in Jaunpur to a modest Afghan Jagirdar, he earned the title ‘Sher Khan‘ by successfully hunting a tiger at the behest of his benefactor. His journey began in Babur’s army, where he acquired valuable knowledge of Mughal military strategies. Ultimately, Sher Shah Suri rose to prominence by toppling Humayun and assuming control of the Mughal Empire in 1540.

Background

At the age of 54, Farid, later known as Sher Shah, took the throne of Delhi. His father was a modest Jagirdar in Jaunpur.
Farid honed his administrative skills managing his father’s jagir. Following Ibrahim Lodi’s defeat and the ensuing chaos in Afghan affairs, he emerged as a powerful Afghan Sardar.
Farid earned the title of Sher Khan from his patron, Bahar Khan, for bravely killing a tiger. This marked a significant recognition of his services.
Sher Shah ruled the most potent empire in north India, stretching from Bengal to the Indus. However, Kashmir remained outside his dominion.
Sher Shah’s last campaign was against the formidable Kalinjar fort in Bundelkhand.
A cannon accident during the siege severely wounded him, and he died in 1545 upon hearing of the fort’s conquest.
Sher Shah’s second son, Islam Shah, succeeded him. His premature death triggered a civil war among his successors.
The power struggle among Sher Shah’s successors provided an opportunity for Humayun to reclaim his lost kingdom in India.
In 1555, Humayun engaged in two decisive wars against the Afghans, successfully reclaiming Delhi and Agra and reestablishing his rule in India.

Sher Shah’s Administration

Sher Shah, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, implemented a centralized administration system, dividing the empire into Sarkars. Each Sarkar featured key officers responsible for different aspects:

Chief Shiqdar: Managed Police administration and maintained Law and Order.
Chief Munsif: Oversaw Revenue administration.
Poddar: Handled treasury matters.

Sarkars were further divided into Parganas, with officers including Shiqdar (sub-district Police officer), Munsif (sub-district Revenue officer), and Khazanadar (sub-district Revenue officer).

At the village level, the Patwari supervised the administration. Sher Shah pioneered the integration of the Patta System into the income stream, extending property rights to peasants, making him the first monarch in India to do so. Recognized for fair justice, he was honored with the title Nyaya Simha.

Sher Shah’s contributions extended beyond governance. He constructed a vast highway network, enhancing transportation and communication infrastructure. Along these roads, he erected sarais (guest homes), some of which evolved into DakChowkis (Post Offices). Additionally, he introduced new coins, the Gold Mohar and Silver Rupaiya, a departure from the British and Mughal currency systems.

Sur Dynasty

Sher Shah Suri, originally Farid, a Pashtun hailing from Afghanistan, established the Sur dynasty, governing northern India from 1540 to 1556, succeeding the Mughal Dynasty during Humayun’s reign.
Sher Shah Suri demonstrated his military prowess by defeating Humayun twice at the Battles of Chausa and Bilgram, prompting Humayun’s retreat to Persia.
Despite ruling Delhi for only five years, Sher Shah’s reign left a lasting impact on the Subcontinent.
Born Sher Khan to Afghan landowner Hasan Khan Suri, Sher Shah faced initial challenges before emerging as a national leader.
Facing a setback with Mahmood Lodi’s entrance in Bihar, Sher Shah remained resilient and a contender for the Delhi throne.
Upon reaching Bihar, Sher Shah aimed to unite all Afghans under his banner, striving to restore Afghan sovereignty in India.
Sher Khan’s journey included fighting alongside Mahmood Lodi at the Battle of Ghagra in 1529, surrendering to Babur after defeat, and paying annual tribute to the Mughal Emperor.
Despite setbacks, Sher Khan reclaimed his position after restoring law and order in his territory.
Following the death of Dadu Bibi, the regent and mother of the newborn monarch, Sher Khan became the de facto ruler of south Bihar.
Sher Shah Suri’s short but impactful rule marked a significant turning point in Indian history, showcasing his determination and administrative skills.
His efforts to unify Afghans and establish Afghan sovereignty left a lasting legacy in the region.

Achievements of Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri implemented the Dagh method, also referred to as “branding the horses,” to combat fraudulent mustering practices. Additionally, he revived the Dak-chaukl, an intelligence system that enabled him to gather information from across his realm. To enhance connectivity within his kingdom, Sher Shah constructed four crucial roadways linking its four corners. He streamlined the currency system by eliminating old and mixed currencies, establishing a defined ratio for copper to silver coinage. Moreover, he introduced gold and silver coins, contributing to the overall improvement of the nation’s economic stability.

Reforms in Administration: Sher Shah led a formidable army of 150,000 horses, 250,000 foot soldiers, and 5,000 elephants. Personally overseeing appointments and payments, he quelled clan rivalries, securing allegiance. His administration mirrored Iran’s Safavid Empire, fostering unity.

Civic Development: During his reign, Sher Shah focused on civic projects, including tree planting, well construction, and Sarai (inns) establishment. Notably, he built the Grand Trunk Road, enhancing trade routes from Delhi to Kabul.

Trade and Governance Rotation: To prevent power accumulation, Sher Shah rotated officers every two to three years, promoting fair governance. He meticulously monitored all government branches, fostering trade and functioning as dak chowks.

Justice System and Anti-Fraud Measures: Sher Shah prioritized justice, reinstating horse branding to combat fraud. He ensured justice for the common man, maintaining a keen awareness of nationwide affairs, and implementing local responsibility.

Revenue Management and Land Reforms: Sher Shah introduced revolutionary tax reforms, basing revenue collection on land measurement. Farmers received titles (patta) and agreed to contribute a reasonable percentage of their production, fostering agricultural prosperity. He established a bureaucracy for efficient governance.

Currency System and Demonetization: Sher Shah instituted a robust monetary system with a fixed-weight silver rupiya. Gold mohurs and copper paisas were also minted. This trimetallic currency facilitated trade, aiding farmers and replacing debased coins. Finely minted silver coins called Dam were introduced.

Infrastructure Project – Rah-e-Azam: Sher Shah’s iconic Great Road (Rah-e-Azam) connected Chittagong to Kabul, featuring tree-lined paths and caravanserais for traveler comfort. This multicultural approach influenced Akbar’s political theories, tax systems, and the expansion of Rah-e-Azam.

Sher Shah Suri Tomb

Sher Shah Suri’s tomb is located in the town of Sasaram in the Indian state of Bihar.
Mir Muhammad Aliwal Khan, the architect, created this museum between 1540 and 1545 as an example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
It is a red sandstone tomb in the center of an artificial lake, and it is known as India’s second Taj Mahal.

Death of Sher Shah Suri

In 1545, Sher Shah Suri was killed by a gunpowder explosion while laying siege to Kalinjar fort.
Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 after a five-year reign, yet he constructed a massive empire and a magnificent and powerful government.
The mausoleum he erected for himself in Sasaram is an architectural wonder.

Conclusion

Sur dynasty exerted control over virtually all Mughal territories, spanning from present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan to Bengal in modern-day Bangladesh. As the Mughals sought refuge in Persia, the Sur Empire established dominance over extensive regions, comprising eastern Afghanistan, the entirety of Pakistan, and northern India. Over the course of the Sur dynasty’s nearly 15-year rule, the Indian subcontinent experienced noteworthy economic advancements and administrative enhancements.