All questions of Struggle For Empire in North India (1525 - 1555) for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Successor to Babur in the Mughal Empire
In 1530, Humayun succeeded his father Babur as the ruler of the Mughal Empire. Here is a detailed explanation:

Humayun's Background
Humayun was the eldest son of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. He was born in Kabul in 1508 and grew up to become a capable ruler.

Challenges Faced by Humayun
After ascending to the throne, Humayun faced numerous challenges, including internal rebellions, external threats from Afghan rulers, and conflicts with his own brothers over the succession.

Loss of Empire
Humayun's reign was marked by a series of setbacks, including the loss of territories to Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan chieftain who later established the Sur Empire.

Exile and Return
Humayun was forced into exile after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri. He spent several years in exile, seeking refuge in Persia. However, with the help of the Safavid dynasty, Humayun was able to regain his empire and reclaim Delhi in 1555.

Reign and Legacy
Humayun's reign was relatively short-lived, but he is remembered for his efforts to consolidate the Mughal Empire and lay the foundations for its future expansion. His son Akbar, who succeeded him, went on to become one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
In conclusion, Humayun succeeded Babur as the ruler of the Mughal Empire in 1530, but his reign was marked by challenges and setbacks. Despite facing adversity, he managed to reclaim his empire and set the stage for the Mughal dynasty's future success.

Sher Shah Suri, originally known as Farid Khan, was a prominent ruler in medieval India. He founded the Sur Dynasty, which was the third Afghan dynasty to rule over the Delhi Sultanate.



Before Sher Shah's rise to power, the Delhi Sultanate was under the rule of the Lodi Dynasty. The last ruler of the Lodi Dynasty was Ibrahim Lodi, who faced a major challenge from Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. In the first Battle of Panipat in 1526, Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed by Babur, leading to the end of the Lodi Dynasty.



After Babur's victory, he established the Mughal Empire in India. However, Sher Shah Suri, who was a capable military commander, managed to capture considerable territories from the Mughals. In 1540, Sher Shah defeated the Mughal emperor Humayun in the Battle of Kannauj and declared himself the ruler of Delhi.

With this victory, Sher Shah founded the Sur Dynasty and became the first Sur emperor. He adopted the title "Sher Shah" after his victory, which means "Lion King" in Persian. Under his rule, the Sur Dynasty became a significant power in northern India.



Sher Shah Suri is known for his administrative reforms and infrastructure development. Some of his notable contributions include:

1. Administrative Reforms:
- He introduced an efficient administration system that included a strong central government and provincial rule.
- Sher Shah divided the empire into Sarkars (districts) and further into Parganas (sub-districts) for better governance.
- He established a network of spies to ensure law and order and prevent corruption.

2. Land Revenue System:
- Sher Shah implemented a new land revenue system based on measurement and assessment of land, known as the "Dahsala."
- This system aimed to strike a balance between the demands of the state and the capacity of the peasants.

3. Road and Infrastructure Development:
- Sher Shah is credited with the construction of the Grand Trunk Road, a vast network of roads connecting various parts of the empire.
- He also built numerous sarais (rest houses) and wells along the roads for the convenience of travelers.

4. Currency and Coinage:
- Sher Shah introduced the silver Rupiya as the currency of the empire, which continued to be used in India for centuries.
- He also standardized the weight and purity of coins to ensure their uniformity.

5. Architecture:
- Sher Shah Suri is known for his architectural patronage. He constructed several notable buildings, including the Rohtas Fort in present-day Pakistan.



Sher Shah's reign marked a significant period in Indian history. Despite ruling for a relatively short time, his administrative reforms and infrastructure development had a lasting impact. The Sur Dynasty, founded by Sher Shah, played a crucial role in the political landscape of medieval India.

Sher Shah Suri, also known as Sher Khan, was an Afghan emperor who ruled over the Indian subcontinent from 1540 to 1545. During his reign, he made several significant reforms, including the introduction of a new silver coin known as the "Dam."



Sher Shah introduced the Dam primarily to standardize the monetary system and facilitate trade and commerce within his empire. Prior to the introduction of the Dam, the currency system in India was highly fragmented, with various local and regional coins in circulation. This lack of uniformity made transactions challenging and hindered economic growth.



The Dam was a silver coin that weighed approximately 178 grains or 11.53 grams. It was round and had a diameter of about 0.75 inches. The coin featured inscriptions in Persian, including the name of the ruler and the date of minting. Sher Shah's coins were known for their high purity, with a silver content of around 95%.



The introduction of the Dam had a profound impact on the Indian economy during Sher Shah's reign and even beyond. The standardized coinage system made transactions easier and more efficient, boosting trade and commerce. The Dam also became widely accepted and recognized, gaining credibility among merchants and traders.

Sher Shah's coinage system had a lasting impact, and the Dam continued to be used even after his reign. The Mughal emperors who succeeded Sher Shah, such as Akbar and Jahangir, also minted Dam coins, further solidifying its importance in the Indian monetary system.



Sher Shah Suri's introduction of the Dam, a silver coin, was a significant step towards standardizing the currency system in India. The coin played a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce during his reign and left a lasting legacy in the Indian monetary system.

Sher Shah's empire was divided into 47 Sarkars.

Explanation:
Sher Shah Suri, also known as Sher Shah or Sher Khan, was the founder and ruler of the Sur Empire in North India. He reigned from 1540 to 1545 and is known for his administrative reforms and construction of infrastructure, such as the Grand Trunk Road.

During his rule, Sher Shah divided his empire into administrative divisions called Sarkars. These Sarkars were further subdivided into Parganas, which were smaller units of governance.

The division of the empire into Sarkars was a part of Sher Shah's administrative reforms. It helped in effective governance and revenue collection. Each Sarkar had its own administrative structure, with a Sarkar officer known as a Sarkar-i-Khalisa responsible for the administration and revenue collection.

The total number of Sarkars in Sher Shah's empire was 47. These Sarkars covered various regions of the empire, including present-day Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan and Punjab.

The division of the empire into Sarkars allowed for better governance and efficient administration. It ensured that the empire was effectively managed and revenue was collected from different regions. The Sarkar system also facilitated the implementation of Sher Shah's land revenue reforms, which aimed at a fair assessment and collection of revenue from the agricultural sector.

Overall, the division of Sher Shah's empire into 47 Sarkars was an important administrative measure that contributed to the efficient governance and revenue management of the Sur Empire.

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, employed several tactics to defeat his enemies in the Battle of Panipat (1526) and the Battle of Khanwa (1527). These tactics included a mobile mode of warfare, the use of gunpowder, and trenches filled with trees.

1. Mobile Mode of Warfare:
Babur was known for his innovative approach to warfare, which involved a highly mobile and flexible strategy. He emphasized the use of cavalry, particularly his elite corps of Turkish and Mongol horsemen called the "Tawarikh-i-Baburi." These cavalry units were highly skilled in horse archery and could swiftly move across the battlefield, encircling and attacking enemy forces from multiple directions. This mobile mode of warfare gave Babur an advantage in maneuvering his troops and outflanking his opponents.

2. Use of Gunpowder:
Another significant tactic employed by Babur was the effective use of gunpowder technology. Babur had access to artillery pieces such as cannons and matchlocks, which were relatively new in India at that time. He understood the importance of artillery in siege warfare and used cannons to breach the fortifications of his adversaries. Babur's artillery was particularly instrumental in the Battle of Panipat, where he deployed cannons to devastating effect against the larger but less technologically advanced army of Ibrahim Lodi.

3. Trenches Filled with Trees:
In the Battle of Khanwa, Babur devised an ingenious strategy to counter the superior numbers of his opponent, Rana Sanga of Mewar. He ordered his soldiers to dig trenches and fill them with thorny bushes and trees, creating obstacles for the charging war elephants of the enemy. These trenches, known as "Khandaqs" or "Chequered Trenches," disrupted the enemy's advance and caused confusion among their ranks. This tactic allowed Babur's forces to gain the upper hand and ultimately secure victory.

In summary, Babur successfully employed a combination of a mobile mode of warfare, the use of gunpowder, and trenches filled with trees to defeat his enemies in the Battle of Panipat and the Battle of Khanwa. These tactics showcased his strategic brilliance and technological advantage, contributing to his success in establishing the Mughal Empire in India.