Early Mughals & Sher Shah Suri (1526–1556 AD)
Overview
| Early Mughals & Sur Empire Overview | Establishment of Mughal Empire in 1526 by Babur transformed political and military landscape. Brief interruption by Afghan Sur Empire under Sher Shah Suri provided structural blueprint for centralized governance. Era defined by introduction of gunpowder/artillery, strategic battles, and rich Indo-Persian literary tradition. |
1. Babur (1526–30 AD)
| Lineage & Military Innovation | Descendant of Timur (paternal) and Genghis Khan (maternal). First to use gunpowder and artillery in India via Tughluma (flanking) system and Araba (carts) defense strategy. |
| First Battle of Panipat (1526) | Defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ending Delhi Sultanate. |
| Battle of Khanwa (1527) | Defeated Rajput confederacy under Rana Sanga; assumed title Ghazi. |
| Battles of Chanderi (1528) & Ghaghra (1529) | Defeated Medini Rai at Chanderi (1528) and Afghan forces under Mahmud Lodi at Ghaghra (1529). |
| Literary Works & Death | Authored Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) in Chagatai Turki. Compiled Diwan and Mubaiyan. Died in 1530 at Agra; remains moved to Kabul. |
2. Humayun (1530–40 & 1555–56 AD)
| The Sur Conflict & Exile | Defeated by Sher Shah Suri at Battle of Chausa (1539) and Battle of Kannauj/Bilgram (1540). Spent 15 years in exile in Safavid Persia. |
| Restoration & Death | Invaded India in 1555, defeating Sur successors at Battle of Sirhind. Died in 1556 after falling from library stairs in Din Panah (Delhi). |
| Humayunama | Biography authored by his sister Gulbadan Begum at Akbar's request. |
3. The Sur Empire (1540–55 AD) & Sher Shah Suri
| Sher Shah Suri (1540–45 AD) | Born as Farid; expanded kingdom from Bengal to Indus. Known as Hazarat-i-Ala. Considered "Precursor to Akbar". |
| Administrative Units & Land Reforms | Organized empire into Sarkar (under Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran) and Pargana. Introduced Ray (crop rates schedule), measured land, and fixed state share at 1/3 of produce. |
| Patta & Qabuliyat | Introduced Patta (title deed) and Qabuliyat (agreement), facilitating direct tax collection from peasants. |
| Grand Trunk Road & Currency | Built Grand Trunk Road (Sarak-i-Azam) from Sonargaon to Peshawar. Built postal sarais and introduced silver Rupia. |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & PYQ Targets
| Babur Artillery Usage | First to use gunpowder and artillery in India at Panipat (1526). |
| Baburnama Original Language | Originally written in Chagatai Turki (Persian was later official court language). |
| Patta and Qabuliyat | Land tenure title deeds introduced by Sher Shah Suri. |
| Grand Trunk Road & Rupia | Built Sarak-i-Azam (GT Road) and introduced silver Rupia. |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Babur Matchlock & Artillery:
- Agra Fort & City:
- Sher Shah Suri Innovations:
- Sher Shah Suri Sarai:
- Sher Shah Suri Public Infrastructure:
