Best History Notes on Sher Shah Suri available for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025

Best History Notes on Sher Shah Suri available for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025

History of Bihar-8

Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545 CE)

Background:

• Original Name: Farid Khan
• Birthplace: Sasaram, Bihar
• Belonged to the Sur Dynasty, of Afghan origin
• Gained military fame under the service of Afghan nobles and later rebelled against the Mughals

Rise to Power:

• Defeated Humayun (the Mughal Emperor) at the Battle of Chausa (1539) and Battle of Kannauj (1540)
• Established the Sur Empire and became emperor in 1540 CE
• Ruled for only 5 years but laid foundations of a strong administration

Major Contributions:

Administrative Reforms:

• Introduced an efficient centralized administration
• Appointed Amils (revenue collectors), Qanungos (record keepers), and Patwaris (village-level officers)

Land Revenue System:

• Conducted land measurement and classification for taxation
• Revenue was assessed on the actual area under cultivation
• Introduced Zabt system, which the Mughals later adopted

Currency Reform:

• Issued silver coin “Rupiya” (standardized weight), the basis of modern Indian currency
• Also issued copper and gold coins for different transactions

Roads and Communication:

• Built and renovated Grand Trunk Road (GT Road):
  • Stretched from Sonargaon (now in Bangladesh) to Peshawar (now in Pakistan)
  • Connected Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Sasaram, and Lahore
• Planted shade trees, built sarais (inns), and wells at regular intervals
• Improved postal system using horse relays

Justice and Governance:

• Known for being a just and able ruler
• Built a network of courts, maintained law and order
• Punished corruption severely

Architectural Works:

• Sher Shah’s Tomb in Sasaram (Bihar) is a masterpiece of Indo-Afghan architecture, made of red sandstone and surrounded by a tank
• Constructed several forts and administrative buildings

Legacy:

• Though he ruled for only five years, his reforms inspired Akbar and formed the basis of Mughal administration
• Remembered as one of the greatest Indian administrators