The eldest son of Babur was Humayun. The meaning of Humayun is "fortune". However, he was the most unlucky ruler of the Mughal Empire. His empire was challenged by Sher Shah Suri who established a small but effective Sur Dynasty for a few years by defeating Humayun.

However, Humayun took his empire back later with the help of Iranian rulers. Candidates can read other NCERT Notes on History of Medieval India to prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam.

Humayun: Beginnings, Defeat from Sher Khan, and Exile

• After just six months of his succession, he seized the Kalinjar fortress in Bundelkhand.
• He also benefited from his great victory over Afghans.
• In addition to this, he removed Sultan Mahmood Lodhi from his place at Jaunpur.
• Also, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was defeated by him.
• Humayun had three brothers Kamran, Askari and Hindal.
• Humayun thought of dividing his kingdom amongst his brothers which was a good step but turned into a disaster for him.
• This created a lot of trouble for him. It was as if a big blunder which he made, and it hurt his interests and position.
• Kandahar and Kabul were given to Kamran by Humayun.
• Sambhal was given to Askari and Alwar was given to Hindal.
• It was then that Humayun defeated Bahadur Shah and captured Gujarat.
• For this region, he appointed Askari as the Governor. However, soon Bahadur Shah took back Gujarat from Askari, and Askari had fled from that region.
• In the Eastern part, Sher Khan was turning to be more powerful.
• Humayun thus went there to defeat Sher Khan in the Battle of Chausa (1539), Khan destroyed the Mughal army in that battle.

• It was due to this defeat that Humayun had to escape from there.
• Next, Humayun reached Agra to have a discussion and negotiation with his brothers.
• In 1540, the Battle of Kanauj, also known as the Battle of Bilgram or Ganges, took place where Humayun was defeated by Sher Khan again and had to flee to save his life..
• It was due to this that Humayun lost his kingdom and was put to exile for the next 15 years.

Humayun: Life in Exile, Marriage, and his later life as a Ruler

• During Humayun's wanderings in the deserts of Sindh, he married Hamida Banu Begum, who was the daughter of Sheikh Ali Amber Jaini.
• Jaini was the preceptor of Hindal who was Humayun's younger brother.
• It was on November 23rd, 1542 that Humayun's wife gave birth to his son, Akbar.
• Amarkot's Hindu Chief who was named Rana Prasad had made a promise with Humayun to help him to capture Thatta.
• However, the truth is that Humayun could not capture Bhakker and therefore left India and began living under Shah Tahmashp of Persia.
• Shah of Persia stated that he would help Humayun and lend him a military power of 14,000 soldiers. However, there was a condition to it, and that was that Humayun would confirm himself to Shia creed. Besides, he should proclaim Shah's name in Khutba. Also, Humayun should give his Kandhar to Shah on his success.

• In 1545, with the help of the Shah, Humayun captured Kabul and Kandahar. But he did not cede Kandhar to Shah.
• Humayun took the help of the Safavid ruler.
• After this, he defeated his younger brothers Askari and Kamran.
• In 1555 Afghans were conquered by Humayun and the Mughal empire was recovered by him.
• However, after six months, Humayun died in 1556 because he fell from the stairs of the library.
• Humayun was generous and kind.
• He also wrote poems in the Persian language and loved paintings.

To get more information and study materials on History for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam, candidates can check NCERT Medieval History Notes right here.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who succeeded Humayun as the ruler of the Mughal Empire?

A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

2. What major battle led to Humayun's temporary exile from India?

A) Battle of Panipat
B) Battle of Chausa
C) Battle of Khanwa
D) Battle of Talikota

3. Which empire helped Humayun regain his throne after exile?

A) Ottoman Empire
B) Mughal Empire
C) Persian Empire
D) British Empire

4. What is the architectural significance of Humayun's Tomb?

A) It marks the beginning of Indo-Saracenic architecture
B) It is the first garden tomb in India
C) It was built during Akbar's reign
D) It has no historical significance

5. What year did Humayun's reign begin?

A) 1526
B) 1530
C) 1540
D) 1555

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Assess the challenges faced by Humayun during his reign and their impact on the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Humayun faced numerous challenges during his reign, including fierce opposition from Afghan rulers, particularly Sher Shah Suri, who defeated him in the Battle of Chausa. These defeats forced Humayun into exile and highlighted the instability within the Mughal Empire. The internal dissent among nobles and weak administrative structures further complicated governance. However, these challenges ultimately shaped Humayun's leadership style, leading him to seek assistance from allies, such as the Persians, which strengthened diplomatic relations. His eventual return and re-establishment of the Mughal Empire laid the foundation for his son Akbar's successful rule, demonstrating that the adversities faced by Humayun played a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the Mughal dynasty.

Q2: Discuss the architectural contributions of Humayun and their significance in the context of Mughal architecture.

Answer: Humayun's reign contributed significantly to the evolution of Mughal architecture, most notably through the construction of Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. This tomb is recognized as the first garden tomb in India and features a distinctive combination of Persian and Indian architectural elements. The use of red sandstone and white marble, along with the structured gardens, set a precedent for later Mughal structures, including the Taj Mahal. Humayun's emphasis on aesthetics and innovative design principles contributed to the rich architectural heritage of the Mughal Empire, symbolizing the blending of cultural influences that characterized the period.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Humayun's policies on the socio-political landscape of India during the Mughal period.

Answer: Humayun's policies significantly impacted the socio-political landscape of India during the Mughal period by promoting a more inclusive administration and engaging various regional powers. Although his reign was marked by struggles, his attempts to integrate diverse communities within the empire laid the groundwork for a more cohesive society under his son, Akbar. Humayun's initiatives to engage with local chieftains and regional rulers were crucial in establishing a relatively peaceful and prosperous environment, despite the challenges of his rule. His policies regarding religious tolerance and cultural patronage began to emerge during his reign, influencing the subsequent Mughal approach to governance and contributing to the empire's expansion and stability.

Previous Year Questions on Humayun

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Who was the first Mughal emperor to construct a tomb in the Persian style in India?

A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Humayun
D) Shah Jahan

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Humayun was the first Mughal emperor to construct a tomb in the Persian style, known as Humayun's Tomb, which set the standard for Mughal architecture.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Analyze the role of Humayun in the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India."

Answer: Humayun played a crucial role in the establishment of the Mughal Empire by continuing the legacy of his father, Babur, and attempting to consolidate power in India. His reign, though challenged by significant opposition, ultimately contributed to the Mughal presence in India. Despite his initial defeats, Humayun's return to power in 1555 marked the re-establishment of Mughal authority. His policies and approaches laid the groundwork for his son Akbar, who further expanded the empire. Humayun's diplomatic engagements and architectural contributions were pivotal in shaping the early Mughal identity, highlighting his significance in the historical narrative of the empire.