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

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.

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.