Sher Shah Suri, A Pashtun Leader, Reformer and Great General.

Sher Shah Suri, A Pashtun Leader, Reformer and Great General.

A brilliant strategist, a good reformer, a gifted administrator and a capable general. His reorganization of the empire laid the foundations for the later Mughal emperors, notably Akbar, son of Humayun.

Some achievements of his reign are:

1. He divided the whole India into 47 states. Which were called SAR-KAR.

2. He introduced The system of tri-metalism. the currency  system in INDIA from TAKA called Rupiya. The golden coins were named Mohur, Silver coins as RUPIYA and copper coins as paisa.

3. Regular Law Courts knows as Darul-Adalat were set up in which the qazi and mir i adil settled civil cases and administered justice.

4. He also introduced the new civic, economic and military administration.

5. SSS was the 1st in INDIANIAN history who suggested that GOVERNOR should be civilian not a military governor.

6. He also established an efficient postal system, with mail being carried by relays of horse riders.

7. He built up the largest road of Asia Called GT road which is 2500 KM Long from CHITTAGONG, Bengal to India then to Kabul Afghanistan connecting Pakistan too. His Idea was to extend this road from Kabul to Makha where Muslim can go for Holy pilgrimage called “HAJJ”.

8. Caravansary, temples and mosques were built and trees were planted along the entire stretch on both sides of the road to provide shade to travelers. Wells were also dug, especially along the western section.

9. He also ordered if any traveler or merchant has been looted at this road, the governor of that state “SAR-KAR” will be jailed.

10. Sher Shah built several monuments including rohtas fort,  Rohtasgarh Fort in Bihar, the Sher Shah Suri Masjid in Patna, the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque inside the Purana Qila complex in Delhi, and the Sher Mandal, an octagonal building also inside the Purana Qila complex, which later served as the library of Humayun. He built a new city, Bhera, Sargodha, Pakistan within it a grand masjid named after him.

11. He will be always remembered in the good books of history.

The influence of his innovations and reforms extended far beyond his brief reign; because of his great deeds, his arch foe, Humayun, referred him as “Ustad-I-Badshahan”, teacher of kings.

Sher Shah Suri born in 1486 in Bihar. 8th Son of Hassan Khan Suri, a prominent figure of Bahlul Khan lodi’s empire. He belonged to Shera Khel spet of SUR tribe of Pashtun which was settled in present day of DI Khan district of KPK, Pakistan. His native village name was zhaghri in Pashto and Ruhri in Seraiki.

Sur is a branch of Lodi tribe. He was ethnic Pashtun. Farid Khan was his real name. In his early age, he got annoyed from his stepmother and fled to jaunpur to serve jamal Khan. He started his service under Bahar Khan Lohani, the Mughal Governor of Bihar before rising as a commander in Mughal army under babur in 1537.  One day, in Bengal, a tiger leapt suddenly upon Bahar Khan. He confronted the lion and killed the tiger. Due to his courage, valour and bravery, Bahar Khan rewarded him with a title “Sher Khan” – means The Lion Lord.

When he was a boy, He used to work in Horse Barn. One day he was taking the horse and first time, Ziruddin Babr saw him He looked at him and said “The forehead of this boy is shining of success” Then Babar threw a coin at him and went away. Later, History witnessed, this boy Farid Khan became SSS & He took control of MUGHAL empire in 1540 & Hamayaun, son of babar with no other option fled from India. Actually, What babar meant was this bare truth.

After the death of Bahar Khan, Sher Khan became the regent ruler of the minor Sultan, Jalal Khan. Later sensing the growth of Sher Shah's power in Bihar, Jalal sought the assistance of Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah, the independent Sultan of Bengal. Ghiyasuddin sent an army under General Ibrahim Khan. But, Sher Khan defeated the force at the battle of Surajgarh in 1534 after forming an alliance with  Rajputs and other local chiefdoms. Thus, he achieved complete control of Bihar. 

Soon, Sher Khan attacked Bengal and defeated Mahmud Shah. But he could not capture the kingdom because of the sudden expedition of Emperor Humayun. On 26 June 1539, Sher Khan defeated Humayun in the Battle of Chausa and He became the founder of sur empire in Bengal. he defeated Humayun again at the battle of Kannauj in May 1540 and forced him out of India. He also conquered Malwa and Marwar. He took control of Delhi. And assumed a title Farid-ud-duniya wa din & SSS when he ascended the throne of Delhi.

His reign consists of 5 years only. His “SUR DYNASTY” started from bihar later to Delhi established Afghan-SUR empire in India. He fought wars all 5 years in his reign, according to history, during his kingdom, he spent only 2 days in his castle, In present day called TOMB of SSS in India.