Sur and Mughals Administrative Reforms in Haryana - 1 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Sher Shah's Family History and the Tomb of Ibrahim Khan in Haryana

• Haryana was the ancestral home of Sher Shah, whose grandfather, Ibrahim Khan Sur, migrated from Afghanistan and served under Jamal Khan Sarang Khani of Hisar-Firuzah. In return for his services, he was granted several villages in pargana Narnaul to maintain forty horsemen. 
• Ibrahim's son, Hasan Khan, served under Umar Khan, Khan-i-azam, the counselor and courtier of Sultan Bahlol, who gave him several villages in the pargana Shahbad as a jagir. After Ibrahim's death, Hasan Khan inherited his father's jagir with several additions to it. 
• In 1486, Farid, later known as Sher Shah Sur, was born in Narnaul. Sher Khan also served in Haryana under Mathhi Khan and Jamal Khan and built a tomb in Narnaul in honor of his grandfather, Ibrahim Khan. The tomb, constructed under the supervision of Shaikh Ahmad Niyazi, is a perfect example of the Pathan-style square tomb.
• Sher Shah, being from Haryana himself, naturally extended his administrative measures to his home province. 
• Haryana was still divided into four sarkars: Delhi, Mewat, Hisar, and Sirhind, and important administrative officers held positions such as the Shiqdar-e-Shiqdaran (Chief Military Officer), Munsif-e-Munshifan (Chief Judicial Officer), Shiqdar (In-Charge of Pargana), Munsif (Judicial and Revenue Administrator of Pargana), Quanungo (Record Officer), and Knajanchi (Treasurer). 
• The smallest administrative unit, the village, was governed by the panchayat, mukaddam, and patwari. Sher Shah also introduced his imperial land revenue system in Haryana. 
• He was careful in making new appointments, with Haji Khan being placed in charge of the Mewat region and Khawas Khan appointed as subedar of Sirhind, who in turn appointed Malik Bhagawant as his representative.

Sher Shah's Public Welfare Activities in Haryana

• Sher Shah's construction of roads and sarais for public welfare had a positive impact on Haryana. The largest road, spanning about 1580 kilometers from Sonargaon to the Indus, passed through Haryana. 
• Sher Shah planted trees on both sides of the road and built sarais every two furlongs, providing separate accommodations for both Hindus and Muslims. Villages were granted by the state to maintain the sarais, which had a well, a mosque, and a staff consisting of an imam, a muazzim, and a number of watermen. 
• The income of the lands attached to the sarais paid for the staff. The ruins of Sher Shah's sarais can still be seen in the town of Thanesar, and there are remains of an old bridge towards the north on the Sarasvatl, said to have been built by the ruler. 
• These sarais were not only important for administrative purposes but also developed into trade centers. Additionally, these sarais acted as dak chowkis that provided the emperor with news from the westernmost parts of his empire.

War of Succession after Sher Shah's Death

• After Sher Shah's accidental death on May 17, 1545, his sons Adil Khan and Jalal Khan engaged in a war of succession. Adil Khan, the elder son and heir-apparent, received support from influential amirs like Khawas Khan and Qutab Khan. 
• Jalal Khan, on the other hand, had already crowned himself as Islam Shah and decided to settle the matter on the battlefield. Eventually, he emerged victorious, but became suspicious of Haibat Khan Niyazi, the Governor of Punjab and supporter of Adil Khan. Haibat Khan was joined by Khawas Khan and other Niyazi nobles, and they reached an agreement to dethrone Islam Shah. 
• Consequently, Haibat Khan raised the standard of revolt, and many disgruntled court nobles also joined him in the rebellion.
• The armies of the two sides clashed in the vicinity of Ambala. The united front that was formed against Islam Shah was destined to fail due to deep divisions and conflicting interests among its members. 
• Haibat Khan, for instance, had ambitions of his own and aimed to seize the throne for himself. Khawas Khan, on the other hand, supported Adil Khan's claim to the throne but decided to abandon the rebellion altogether. 
• The Niyazi faction was thus left to fend for themselves. Despite their valiant efforts, they were unable to turn the tide of the battle and were ultimately routed by their opponents. The pursuing forces chased them all the way to Rohtas.
• Humayun saw an opportunity to regain his Indian territories after the Afghan empire fell apart following the death of Islam Shah. He left Kabul in November 1554 and traveled via Peshawar and Kalanur to reach Lahore in February 1555. 
• Before reaching Lahore, he sent a strong force led by Bairam Khan to Haryana, which was then under the control of Nasib Khan.
• To suppress any opposition, the Mughals effectively defeated the Afghans. However, Sultan Sikandar felt compelled to take action against the Mughals after their initial success. The Mughals, however, were victorious in two battles at Bajra and Sirhind, which led to the defeat of the Afghans. 
• Sultan Sikandar then fled towards the Siwaliks, resulting in the Mughals taking control of Punjab and Haryana up to Delhi. Following this, Humayun was able to ascend the throne of Delhi on July 23, 1555.

Akbar’s Conquest of Punjab and Haryana

• Upon hearing the news of his father Humayun’s death in Kalanaur, Akbar became the new emperor of India on February 14, 1556. However, he was faced with the challenge of dealing with the Afghans who, although subdued, were still a threat. 
• One of their leaders, Sikandar Shah, and his followers were hiding in the hills near Ambala in the hopes of regaining the throne that his uncle Sher Shah had once held. Akbar knew that the only way to settle their rival claims was through battle.
• After capturing Delhi, Akbar returned to Sirhind and pursued Sikandar and his men. It wasn't until May 1557 that Sikandar finally surrendered and submitted to Akbar’s rule. This marked the end of the Afghan resistance and Akbar’s complete conquest of Punjab and Haryana.

Hemu, the Rise of a Hindu Chief

• Hemu, a Hindu chief from Rewari in Mewat, gained prominence due to the unstable conditions under Sher Shah’s incompetent successors. Despite being born into the baniya or mercantile class as part of the Dhusar caste in Qutbpur, Hemu rose to power through hard work and dedication. He started by selling salt and acting as a weighman before becoming a government contractor and eventually being appointed as Shahana-i-Bazar and Chief of Intelligence and Daroga-Dakhoki. He even became prime minister under Adil Shah, winning twenty-two victories for his master. Although he faced disadvantages due to his merchant background and "puny form," Hemu proved himself as "an able general and ruler of men."
• During Humayun’s return march to recapture his lost throne, Adil Shah sent Hemu to oppose him, while he himself retired to Chunar. After Humayun’s death, Hemu remained in the field on behalf of Adil Shah to prevent Akbar from taking effective possession of his father’s kingdom.
• Upon taking the throne, Akbar appointed Tardi Beg, a respected and seasoned officer under Humayun, as the Governor of Delhi and entrusted him with managing the recently acquired territories of Mewat and other parganas. Hemu then conquered Gwalior and Agra before advancing towards Delhi, causing Tardi Beg to become alarmed and send urgent messages to nearby Mughal chiefs for assistance.
• With a sudden attack, Hemu forced Tardi Beg to retreat from the battlefield. The Mughal right wing was defeated, resulting in a general retreat, and eventually the surrender of Delhi. Tardi Beg fled to Sirhind, leaving the entire region vulnerable to the enemy. Hemu seized a large amount of valuable loot, including 160 elephants and 1000 Arab horses.
• Hemu's significant triumph over Tardi Beg, as well as his conquest of Delhi and Agra, greatly increased his political authority and inspired his desire for empire. Regarding this particular phase of Hemu's life, V.A. Smith provided commentary.
• Hemu, after gaining victory over Tardi Beg and capturing Delhi and Agra, started to think about his own ambition and power. He realized that his sovereign was far away and he had control of the army and elephants. Thus, he decided that it would be better to gain a kingdom for himself rather than for his absent employer. 
• Hemu distributed the loot among the Afghans who were with him, except for the elephants, to gain their support. With their help, he entered Delhi, put the imperial canopy over his head, and minted coins in his own name. He took on the title of Raja Bikramajit or Vikramaditya, which was used by famous Hindu monarchs in the past, and declared himself a contender for the throne of Hindustan against Akbar and Sikandar Sur. 
• While writing to his nominal sovereign Adil Shah, Hemu concealed his usurpation and pretended to be acting on his master's behalf.
• Smith's observation about Hemu's political power and ambition is based on the Muslim chronicles, which have distorted Hemu's character. These chronicles ridicule Hemu's humble origin and physical appearance and emphasize his selfishness, despite admitting his bravery, audacity, and leadership abilities. The chronicles provide an unfair portrayal of Hemu, a remarkable figure of medieval India who achieved prominence through sheer force of his talent.
• There was no religious enmity among the people who joined forces under Hemu's leadership to resist the Mughals. In the Battle of Tughlaqabad, Haji Khan Pathan played an essential role in Hemu's victory against Tardi Beg by offering timely resistance. 
• The reason for Hemu's defeat in the second Battle of Panipat was due to an accident of war, which involved the capture of his artillery a few days earlier by Ali Quli Khan-Zaman and the loss of his own eyes during the battle. 
• Hemu was a brave warrior, and his wounds on the battlefield were numerous and glorious, second only to Maharana Sanga. Hemu of Rewari, a humble man, bravely fought against foreign invaders on the field of Panipat like no other Rajput.

Akbar's Response to the Disaster at Tughlaqabad and Meeting with Shaikh Jalal

• After hearing the news of the defeat at Tughlaqabad on October 13, 1556, Akbar, who was in Jullundhur at the time, decided to proceed to Delhi. He had already sent a message to Tardi Beg and other officers instructing them to keep their spirits up and stand firm, while also advising them to assemble at Thanesar and await the arrival of the imperial army. 
• The following day, Akbar left Jullundhur and made camp at Sirhind, where he dealt with defeated officers who had not received his orders, including Ali Quli Khan Shaibani. Tardi Beg, who was accused of abandoning his position without a proper reason and showing feeble resistance, was executed soon after his arrival at Sirhind.
• The imperial army then moved on to Thanesar, where it was discovered that they had about 26,000 horsemen. Akbar sent an advance party of 4,000 horsemen led by Badagh Khan to always stay one march ahead of the emperor. 
• Akbar halted at Thanesar for a few days, during which he received the blessings of the renowned Saint Shaikh Jalal. Ahmad Yadgar, in his Tdrikh-i-Saldtin-i-Afghana, particularly mentions the interesting conversation that took place between the saint, Akbar, and his regent.
• He wrote: T'Bairam Khan brought the prince to meet with Kutbul Aktab Saiyad Jalal Thanesari and arranged for him to kiss the holy man's feet. Before leaving, they requested the Saiyad's prayers for their upcoming battle against an army led by an accused infidel. The Saiyad took a moment to think and then responded with a question: "Have you not heard what little boys at play say?" He then sent them away without giving a clear answer.
• A slightly different account of the incident is given in the Bibliotheca Indica text of the Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi. According to this version, they asked the saint to recite a Fatiha to seek divine assistance for their mission. 
• Additionally, the text provides further clarification on the saying of the saint by adding the phrase "un sun baniyan, kam pakadniyadh" which means "they have employed numerous clever tactics, but have ultimately returned defeated and humiliated".
• This event reveals not only the high esteem in which Shaikh Jalal was held but also demonstrates the eagerness of Akbar and his regent to receive the saint's blessings for success in their battle against Hemu.
• Scholars have had differing opinions about the location of the battlefield where the Mughals fought the Afghans for the second time. However, G. Khurana has recently re-examined the issue based on contemporary and other sources. 
• Al-Badaoni mentions a place called Kharmanda that Hemu reached after leaving Panipat, indicating that the battle could not have taken place at Panipat itself. Abul Fazl mentions the plain of Sarai Kaharunda/Karunda. H. Beveridge believes that the places mentioned by the Muslim historians are closely related and equates them with Kharkhuda, which was then part of the Delhi Sarkar and is currently in the Rohtak district. 
• However, Beveridge himself had doubts about this suggestion because Akbar marched to Panipat from Jullundhiir via Thanesar and Karnal, and the place in the Rohtak district seems too far south. Ahmad Yadgar does not name the place but mentions Hemu's camp being set up two kos west of Panipat. This has been accepted by V.A. Smith and the Karnal District Gazetteer from 1910.

Identification of Kharamanda with Mehrana

• According to Khurana, Mehrana (present-day Madana) mentioned in revenue records is the same as Kharamanda, which was located about 5 kilometers southwest of old Panipat. The scholar supports this identification by pointing out the existence of a place called Khara, which was commonly known as Karamadana. 
• Additionally, Badaoni mentions a famous caravan sarai (known as Sarai Pilkhan) located near this place, which is about 3 kilometers south of Panipat on the highway leading to Delhi and about 2.5 kilometers east of Kharamadana at that time.
• Khurana proposes that the battle-field extended from Sarai Pilkhan to Kharmanda, covering an area of about two to five kilometers southwest of Panipat. The scholar cites the Tdrikh-i-Salcitin-Afghana, which describes the positions of the two armies, as evidence to support his argument. 
• Khurana believes that Hemu may have camped his army near the Firozshahi canal in the west of Panipat, which would have provided water for his men and animals. Kharmanda was located on the eastern side of the canal, and the battle was likely fought around it on November 5, 1556.
• Although the suggestion is intriguing, it doesn't account for how the place name Mehrana (Madana) originated from the original Kaharunda or Karunda on linguistic grounds. While Khurana considers Kharmanda mentioned by Badaoni, he completely overlooks the variants Kaharunda or Karunda mentioned by Abul Fazl or Kharunda in the Khulasat-Tawarikh. It raises the question of whether it is the same place as Gharaunda, where a sarai from that time still exists.
• Bairam Khan delivered an inspiring speech to raise the morale of his soldiers, and he followed it up by presenting gifts to the notables and making promises of future rewards to others. The soldiers received further encouragement when Ahmad Beg, also known as the madman, made a prediction that "victory is on our side, but one chief of rank will obtain martyrdom during the fight."

The Battle between Hemu and Mughal General Ali Quli Khan Shaibani

• The conflict began when Hemu's advanced guard, who controlled the artillery and Mughal General Ali Quli Khan Shaibani's forces, initiated an attack. The Mughals employed various tactics, including audacity, deceit, and cunning, and ultimately defeated Hemu's advance party, causing them to flee and abandon their guns on the battlefield. 
• Despite this setback, Hemu did not falter and led an army of 30,000 Rajput and Afghan horsemen, accompanied by 500 armored elephants carrying musketeers and crossbowmen. Hemu rapidly advanced and attacked the enemy.
• Ali Quli Khan and his 10,000 horsemen fiercely resisted Hemu's attack. Although Hemu's elephant charged furiously at the Mughal army from the right, left, and center, it was unsuccessful as Mughal horsemen moved along the sides and attacked Hemu's flanks and rear, injuring the elephants' legs and killing the mahouts. 
• According to Abul Fazl's Akbarnama, there was a large ravine that even elephants could not cross, and after initial setbacks, the Mughals took positions across the ravine. This not only protected the Mughal center from Hemu's elephant onslaught but also allowed them to effectively use their arrows and bullets. Additionally, Dalpat Vilas, a Rajasthani text, mentions that the Mughal army crossed a nullah (a small stream) on the eve of the battle.
• After the enemy's attack began to weaken, Ali Quli Khan led a determined assault on Hemu's rear. Hemu, riding on a tall elephant, assessed the situation and immediately rushed to support his threatened army, launching counterattacks with his elephants. During the fighting, two of Hemu's courageous generals, Bhagwan Das and Shadi Khan, were killed, but the battle continued with fierce intensity. Suddenly, an arrow flew towards Hemu and pierced one of his eyes, exiting through the back of his head. 
• Despite removing the arrow and covering his eye with a scarf, Hemu ordered his army to continue the fight. However, he soon fainted and fell from his howdah, causing panic and confusion among his troops. Hemu's soldiers made no further attempts to resist and scattered in various directions. Eventually, Shah Kuli Khan retrieved Hemu's elephant, which had fled into the jungle, and brought its unconscious rider before the Protector and Akbar.
• According to the accounts of Ahmad Yadgar and the Dutch author Broecke, it is evident, as correctly noted by Smith, that Hemu was beheaded. His head was sent to Kabul to be displayed, and his body was hung at one of the gates of Delhi. It appears that the official story of Akbar's supposed reluctance to harm a defenseless captive was a fabrication of sycophants at court and came about much later.
• Hemu's father, Purandas, and his wife, along with their possessions, were being safeguarded by Haji Khan, a slave of Sher Shah. However, when the imperial forces under Pir Muhammad approached, Haji Khan lacked the courage to face them and fled. As a result, Alwar and the entire Mewat region came under Mughal rule. The fleeing individuals were chased by the Mughals and sought refuge in Dewati-Majari, Hemu's ancestral homeland and a fortress, where they made a final stand against the invaders before eventually surrendering.
• Abul Fazl recounts the sorrowful conclusion to Hemu's father's story. He was captured and presented before Pir Muhammad, who attempted to persuade him to convert to the Islamic faith. However, the elderly man replied, "For eighty years, I have worshipped God in my own religious manner, how can I abandon my faith now? Shall I accept your religion out of fear of death without comprehending it?" Maulana Pir Muhammad ignored his inquiry and responded with the sword instead.
• After Hemu's death, his wife fled to the Bejawada jungle for safety. Meanwhile, hundreds of Hemu's supporters and followers were imprisoned in Delhi and Agra, and were only released when Akbar adopted a more tolerant approach towards religious matters. The region of Mewat, previously held as a jagir by Tardi Beg, was now granted to Pir Muhammad, a trusted servant of Bairam Khan.