Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545 CE)

3. Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545 CE)

Definition & Introduction

Sher Shah Suri, born as Farid Khan, was the founder of the Sur Empire in North India. An Afghan of the Sur clan from Sasaram (Bihar), he is remembered as one of India’s greatest administrators. His reforms in revenue, trade, military, and governance left a lasting impact, influencing even the later Mughal administration.

Early Life

Born in 1486 CE in Sasaram, Bihar.
Nicknamed Sher Khan after killing a tiger single-handedly.
Rose to prominence under Afghan rulers in Bihar.
Gained control over Bihar by defeating rival Afghan chiefs.

Rise to Power

Initially served under Bahar Khan Lohani of Bihar.
Consolidated power in Bihar after internal Afghan conflicts.
Defeated Bengal’s Sultan Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah (Battle of Surajgarh, 1534 CE).
Became the most powerful Afghan leader in eastern India.

Major Battles

1. Battle of Chausa (1539 CE)

Opponent: Mughal Emperor Humayun.
Location: Near Buxar (Bihar).
Result: Sher Shah’s decisive victory; Humayun fled to Agra.

2. Battle of Kannauj (1540 CE)

Opponent: Humayun.
Result: Humayun defeated again; Sher Shah established the Sur Empire and became ruler of Delhi.

Administration & Reforms

Land Revenue System

Measured land using Ghaz-i-Sikandari (standard rod).
Classified land based on fertility and crop yield.
Fixed revenue demand at 1/3 of produce, payable in cash or kind.
Introduced Patwari (village accountant) and Qanungo (district record-keeper).

Currency Reform

Introduced Rupiya (silver coin) — standardised weight and purity.
Also issued copper (dam) and gold (mohur) coins.

Military Reform

Strict branding of horses (Dagh) and descriptive rolls (Chehra).
Salaries paid in cash from royal treasury.
Well-maintained army for quick mobilisation.

Law & Order

Efficient spy system.
Police posts (thanahs) at regular intervals.

Trade & Communication

Improved Grand Trunk Road from Sonargaon (Bengal) to Peshawar.
Built sarais (inns) for travellers at regular distances.
Set up postal system with horses at every sarai.

Public Welfare Works

Dug wells and built bridges along highways.
Sarais doubled as caravanserais and post offices.
Promoted safe trade by protecting merchants from robbery.

Death

Died in 1545 CE at Kalinjar Fort due to an accidental gunpowder explosion.
Succeeded by his son Islam Shah Suri.

Cultural & Architectural Contributions

Sher Shah’s Tomb in Sasaram, Bihar — masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Purana Qila in Delhi (partially built by him before Humayun regained it).
Sarais along Grand Trunk Road.

Bihar Relevance

Native of Sasaram, Bihar.
Bihar served as the power base for his rise.
Many architectural monuments in Bihar are linked to him.
Land revenue and administrative systems in Bihar influenced later Mughal policies.

Current Affairs (till Aug 2025)

Ongoing ASI restoration of Sher Shah’s Tomb in Sasaram.
Bihar Tourism promoting Sher Shah Suri Heritage Circuit.

PYQs (BPSC)

📝 PYQ (BPSC 2016): Who introduced the Rupiya? → Sher Shah Suri
📝 PYQ (BPSC 2014): Where is Sher Shah Suri’s tomb located? → Sasaram (Bihar)

Expected MCQs

📝 Which battle gave Sher Shah control over Delhi? → Battle of Kannauj (1540 CE)
📝 Which road did Sher Shah improve for trade and communication? → Grand Trunk Road
📝 Who was known as Farid Khan in his early life? → Sher Shah Suri

Quick Revision Points

Reign: 1540–1545 CE.
Defeated Humayun at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540).
Introduced Rupiya and improved Grand Trunk Road.
Native of Sasaram, Bihar.

One-Page Rapid Revision Summary

Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan from Sasaram, Bihar, defeated Humayun to establish the Sur Empire (1540–1545 CE). His administration, currency reform, and road-building projects were revolutionary. He introduced the Rupiya, reorganised the revenue system, and developed the Grand Trunk Road with sarais for trade and communication. His tomb in Sasaram remains a prime example of Indo-Islamic architecture.