Nasir al-Din Muhammad also known as Humayun, was the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, ruling over territory that is now Eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, and Bangladesh from 1530 to 1540 and again from 1555 to 1556. Humayun succeeded his father to the throne of Delhi and the Mughal lands in the Indian subcontinent in December 1530. When Humayun came to power at the age of 22, he was an inexperienced monarch. Humayun's worst enemies were the Afghans. They were the masters of Delhi only a few years ago, and they have not given up their desire to reclaim it. In this article, we will discuss Humayun and the Afghans which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Humayun and Afghans - Causes of Conflict

• Babur had taken Delhi's throne from the Afghans. As a result, they were hostile to Humayun.
• Sher Shah Suri was an Afghan as well.
• Sher Shah cemented his authority in Bihar while Humayun was busy battling Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.
• Sher Shah was the proud owner of Chunar's stronghold and had united the majority of the Afghan nobles under his banner.
• He assaulted Bengal twice and demanded a large sum of money from the ruler.
• Humayun knew that subduing Sher Shah was required.

Humayun - Afghan Struggle

Humayun and Sher Shah met with each other three times, in Chunar, Chausa, and Kannauj.

Siege of Chunar (1532)

• Humayun was frightened by Sher Shah's success in Bengal and Bihar.
• Instead of heading straight to Bengal, where he could have enlisted the support of Bengal's monarch, Humayun spent six months besieging the fort of Chunar in Bihar, which was under Sher Shah's control.
• Sher Shah made a fully voluntary submission after seeing his weakness, and Humayun captured the fort of Chunar.

Battle of Chausa (1539)

• For approximately six years, there appeared to be no major confrontations between Sher Shah and Humayun. Sher Shah's position grew significantly during this time.
• Humayun travelled to Bengal on the behest of the ruler of Bengal and spent around eight months there in 1538.
• Sher Shah conquered a number of cities over these eight months, including Banaras, Sambhal, and others. Meanwhile, Hindal, Humayun's brother, declared himself Emperor of Delhi.
• Humayun chose to return from Bengal to Agra. Sher Shah, however, blocked his way at Chausa, the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh border.
• For three months, the two armies stood facing each other. This created tension between both armies. Mughals were tricked.
• Sher Shah devised a strategy at this point. He stated that he was going up against a tribal chief who had been disobeying him.
• In the early hours of June 26, 1539, after marching a few miles in that direction, he returned unexpectedly in the night and attacked Humayun's army from three sides. Humayun was wounded and lost the battle.
• To save his life, he threw his horse into a river and was saved from drowning by a water carrier. As a result, Sher Shah Suri declared himself a Sultan and captured West Bengal.

Battle of Kannauj (1540)

• Humayun arrived in Agra after his defeat at Chausa and sought support from his brothers. All of the brothers, however, were unable to unite.
• Humayun gathered a large army, primarily made up of young recruits, and marched towards Kannauj.
• Sher Shah has already set up camp in Kannauj and won this battle. The success of Sher Shah was crucial.
• Humayun escaped and pushed his way to Agra.
• As a result, Humayun had to spend roughly fifteen years in exile after his defeat at Kannauj, from 1540 to 1554.

Causes of Defeat of Humayun and Sher Shah’s Success

• Humayun's inability to realize the essence of Afghan authority and lack of organizational skills.
• His brothers were unhelpful and Humayun was unable to maintain consistent effort.
• Sher Shah's diplomatic capitulation and Humayun's release of Chunar.
• Humayun wasted most of the time in celebration and procrastination.
• Sher Shah launched an unexpected attack against Humayun's troops in Kannauj.
• Humayun's army lacked command cohesion.

Conclusion

Humayun and Afghans under the command of Sher Shah Suri fought the Second Afghan-Mughal war (1532-1540). Sher Shah Suri was a prominent Afghan nobleman who desired to take control of Delhi and Agra. He consolidated his stronghold in Bihar and Bengal while Humayun was engaged in conquering Gujarat. He also cut off Humayun's connection to Agra. Sher Shah defeated the Mughal army in the Battle of Kanauj later that year. In 1540, the Afghans won and all Mughals were banished from India. Sher Shah Suri claimed to be the king of Delhi and Agra.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Humayun?

Q2: What were the major challenges faced by Humayun during his reign?

Q3: How did Humayun manage to reclaim his throne?

Q4: What is the significance of Sher Shah Suri in Humayun's story?

Q5: How did Humayun's experiences influence the Mughal Empire?

MCQs

1. Who succeeded Babur as the Mughal emperor?

a) Akbar

b) Humayun

c) Aurangzeb

d) Shah Jahan

2. What was the primary reason for Humayun's initial exile?

a) Internal rebellion

b) Afghan invasion

c) Economic decline

d) Religious conflict

3. Which battle marked the significant defeat of Humayun against Sher Shah Suri?

a) Battle of Panipat

b) Battle of Chausa

c) Battle of Khanwa

d) Battle of Talikota

4. How did Humayun's relationship with Persia aid him?

a) Economic trade

b) Military support

c) Cultural exchange

d) Diplomatic relations

5. What legacy did Humayun leave for his successors?

a) Political stability

b) Military expansion

c) Administrative reforms

d) A unified empire

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Examine the role of Humayun in the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India.

Answer: Humayun's reign was crucial for the Mughal Empire's development despite significant setbacks. Initially struggling against Afghan forces, his exile taught him valuable lessons in governance and diplomacy. His return, aided by the Persian Empire, allowed him to reclaim his throne and set the stage for his son Akbar's more successful reign. Humayun's struggles highlighted the importance of military alliances and administrative reforms, which were further developed under Akbar, solidifying Mughal authority in India.

Q2: Analyze the impact of Sher Shah Suri on Humayun's reign and the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Sher Shah Suri’s rise during Humayun’s reign significantly impacted the Mughal Empire's trajectory. His defeat of Humayun led to the establishment of the Suri dynasty and introduced administrative innovations like the Land Revenue System and efficient governance practices. This period of Afghan rule also forced Humayun to adapt and later influenced Mughal policies under Akbar, who adopted some of Sher Shah’s reforms. Thus, Sher Shah Suri's legacy played a vital role in shaping the Mughal administrative framework.

Q3: Discuss the significance of Humayun's exile and return in the context of Mughal history.

Answer: Humayun's exile and eventual return are significant in Mughal history, illustrating themes of resilience and the complexities of power dynamics. His initial defeat by Sher Shah Suri highlighted the vulnerabilities of the early Mughal Empire. However, his successful return, facilitated by Persian support, exemplified the potential for recovery and adaptation in leadership. This experience not only strengthened Humayun’s resolve but also prepared the foundation for Akbar’s reign, where lessons from his father’s struggles were applied to consolidate and expand the empire.

Previous Year Questions on  Humayun and the Afghans

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Who among the following was the chief rival of Humayun during his reign?

Answer: The correct answer is Sher Shah Suri. He was a significant adversary who challenged Humayun's authority and established the Suri dynasty.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Evaluate the significance of the Suri dynasty in the context of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The Suri dynasty, established by Sher Shah Suri, played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of northern India. Its governance reforms, particularly in taxation and administration, left a lasting impact on the Mughal Empire. The innovations introduced during this period, including improved road systems and military organization, influenced Mughal practices. The temporary displacement of the Mughal rulers allowed for the refinement of administrative techniques that were later adopted by Akbar, ensuring the empire's stability and growth.