Sher Shah Suri was also known as Farid Khan. He was the founder of the Sur Empire in India, which had its capital in modern-day Bihar. In 1540, Sher Shah, an ethnic Afghan king, took control of the Mughal Empire. He began his military career as a Jagirdar before rising through the ranks to become a commander in Babur's Mughal army and later the governor of Bihar. Sher Shah conquered Bengal and established the Sur dynasty in 1537. Sher Shah was a smart thinker who also proved to be a great administrator and general. In this article, we will discuss Sher Shah and the Sur Empire (1540–55) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Sher Shah Suri - Background

• At the age of 54, Sher Shah ascended to the throne of Delhi. Farid was his first name, and his father was a small Jagirdar in Jaunpur.
• Farid gained valuable administrative expertise when he was in charge of his father's jagir. Following Ibrahim Lodi's loss and death, as well as the chaos in Afghan affairs, he rose to become one of the most powerful Afghan Sardar.
• His patron, Bahar Khan, awarded the title of Sher Khan to him for killing a tiger for services rendered. Sher Shah was the monarch of the most powerful empire in north India since Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's reign.
• His reign stretched from Bengal to the Indus, although it did not include Kashmir.
• His last campaign was against Kalinjar, a powerful fort that controlled Bundelkhand.
• During the siege, a cannon went off, injuring Sher Shah severely. After hearing that the fort had been conquered, he died in 1545.
• Islam Shah, Sher Shah's second son, succeeded him. His death at a young age, however, sparked a civil war among his successors.
• This gave Humayun the chance to reclaim the kingdom in India that he had been looking for.
• In 1555, he fought the Afghans in two bloody wars and reclaimed Delhi and Agra.

Contribution of Sher Shah Suri

• The term rupee began to be used as the name for a silver coin with a uniform weight of 178 grains.
• Shah's re-establishment of Sher's law and order throughout his realm was one of his most significant efforts.
• He was tough on robbers and dacoits, as well as zamindars who refused to pay land revenue or violated government instructions.
• Sher Shah prioritized the promotion of trade and commerce, as well as the improvement of communication in his reign.
• Sher Shah constructed the Grand Trunk Road, which ran from the Indus River in the west to Sonargaon in Bengal.
• He also constructed a road from Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor, which presumably connected to the road leading to the Gujarat seaports.
• For the convenience of travellers, Sher Shah built a Sarai at a distance of every two kos (about eight km) on these roads. The Sarai was a fortified lodging or inn where travellers could pass the night and also keep their goods in safe custody.
• The news service, or dak-chowki, was also staged in the Sarais.
• Sher Shah kept himself updated on the happenings in his enormous empire through these.
• Goods manufactured in Bengal or imported from outside paid customs duty at the boundary of Bengal and Bihar at Sikrigali, and goods arriving from West and Central Asia paid customs duty at the Indus.
• No one was allowed to levy customs on any other highways, ferries, or towns.
• Sher Shah held the local village headmen (muqaddams) and zamindars liable for any losses incurred by the merchant on the roadways.
• Sher Shah was particularly concerned with the land revenue system, the army, and the justice system. Sher Shah built a powerful army to rule his large dominion.
• Every soldier's description record (Chehra) was kept, and his horse was branded with the imperial sign to prevent inferior horses from being substituted.
• During his lifetime, he erected a mausoleum for himself at Sasaram, which is considered a masterpiece of architecture.
• Sher Shah also established a new city near Delhi on the Yamuna's bank.
• The Old Fort (Purana Qila) and the beautiful mosque within it are the only survivors.
• Sher Shah was also a benefactor of intellectual persons.
• During his reign, some of the finest Hindi masterpieces, such as Malik Muhammad Jaisi's Padmavat, were completed.

Conclusion

Sher Shah Suri was the founder of the Sur Dynasty and a great administrator. Some of his contributions like the making of Sarais for travelers, connecting roadways, reforms in laws and order, reforms in trade and commerce and the building of the Grand Trunk road are markable in history. After hearing that the fort had been conquered, he died in 1545 and was succeeded by his son Islam Khan.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the administrative reforms introduced by Sher Shah Suri and their long-term impact on Indian governance.

Answer: Sher Shah Suri is remembered as a visionary ruler who introduced several administrative reforms that laid the foundation for efficient governance in India. His revenue system, based on the actual measurement of land, ensured fairness and increased state revenues. He introduced a standardized currency, the Rupiya, which streamlined trade and taxation. Sher Shah also improved infrastructure, building roads like the Grand Trunk Road, which enhanced trade, military logistics, and communication. His system of providing inns (sarais) for travelers fostered economic development and safety. His military reforms included organizing the army into a central force under the king’s control and fortifying key areas for defense. These reforms influenced subsequent rulers, including the Mughals, and left a lasting legacy in Indian governance. The administrative structures established by Sher Shah provided a model for the later Mughal Empire, especially under Akbar.

Q2: Analyze the significance of Sher Shah Suri’s military and infrastructure strategies in consolidating his empire.

Answer: Sher Shah Suri’s military strategies were central to his success in consolidating the Sur Empire. He focused on strengthening the central army under his direct command, thereby reducing the dependency on feudal lords for military support. This allowed him to maintain tight control over his territories and swiftly respond to any rebellions or invasions. Sher Shah also built a network of forts to secure his empire from external threats. His infrastructure projects, most notably the construction of the Grand Trunk Road, were equally significant. This road connected key regions of the empire, facilitating rapid troop movement, trade, and administration. It also boosted the economy by providing better connectivity for merchants and traders, which in turn generated revenue for the state. His infrastructure and military strategies contributed to the stability and prosperity of his empire and provided a model for future rulers.

Q3: Evaluate the legacy of Sher Shah Suri’s governance and its influence on the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Sher Shah Suri’s governance left an enduring legacy that significantly influenced the Mughal Empire. His administrative efficiency, particularly in revenue collection, became a model for subsequent rulers. His system of collecting revenue based on land measurement was later adopted by Emperor Akbar as the Zabt system, which became the backbone of Mughal administration. Sher Shah’s introduction of the Rupiya as standardized currency improved trade and commerce, which was also continued by the Mughals. His military and infrastructural achievements, including the construction of roads like the Grand Trunk Road, greatly enhanced communication and trade networks, which the Mughals further developed. Despite the short duration of his rule, Sher Shah’s reforms contributed to the centralization and stability of the Mughal Empire, marking him as one of the most effective rulers in medieval Indian history.

Previous Year Questions on  Sher Shah and the Sur Empire

1. UPSC CSE 2016

Question: Evaluate the administrative and military contributions of Sher Shah Suri in medieval Indian history. 

Answer: Sher Shah Suri’s reign, though brief, is remembered for his profound administrative and military contributions. He reorganized the revenue system by introducing land measurement-based taxation, which ensured a more accurate and fair collection of taxes. This system was both efficient and equitable, benefiting the state and the peasants. His military organization was another significant contribution. Sher Shah maintained a strong central army under his direct control, reducing the influence of feudal lords and ensuring loyalty to the throne. He fortified key strategic locations and built a network of roads, including the Grand Trunk Road, which enhanced communication, trade, and military logistics. Sher Shah also introduced a standardized currency, the Rupiya, to streamline commerce and taxation. His reforms laid the groundwork for subsequent rulers, particularly Akbar, who adopted many of his policies. Thus, Sher Shah’s administrative and military contributions had a lasting impact on Indian governance and military strategies.

2. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: Discuss the significance of Sher Shah’s introduction of the Rupiya and the Grand Trunk Road in the context of medieval Indian economy and administration. 

Answer: Sher Shah Suri’s introduction of the Rupiya and the construction of the Grand Trunk Road were significant milestones in medieval Indian economy and administration. The Rupiya, a silver coin, standardized the currency system in India, facilitating trade, taxation, and commerce. By introducing a uniform currency, Sher Shah ensured consistency in transactions across the empire, which boosted economic stability. This reform also simplified revenue collection and reduced corruption. The Grand Trunk Road, on the other hand, revolutionized transportation and communication. It connected major trade centers across North India, promoting trade and commerce between different regions of the subcontinent. The road also served military purposes, allowing rapid troop movements to defend the empire. Together, these initiatives strengthened Sher Shah’s administration and economy, laying the foundation for a more centralized and efficient governance model that influenced subsequent rulers, particularly the Mughal emperors.