THE SUR DYNASTY - Islam Shah

Humayun was the eldest son of Babur, founder of the Mughal empire. After Babur's death in 1530, he was chosen as his successor, ascending the throne at Agra on December 30, 1530. However, he could not retain control over his Sultanate and soon lost to Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan leader born in India from a very humble family. Sher who had rendered a valuable service to Babur in his military campaign, rapidly rose in ranks and eventually became a ruler of Bihar. He soon defeated Humayun at Chaunsa near Buxar in 1539 and took control of Delhi and whole of Gangetic plains as far as Bengal. He died in 1545 in an accident caused by exploding gunpowder. Sher was an architect of a brilliant administrative system, where he revived the traditional features of the old administrative system of Hindu kings. He built the Grand trunk road (which still survives) from Sonargaon in Bangladesh to the Indus in modern Pakistan.

After Sher Shah's death, the kingdom survived for about nine years in the hands of his son, Islam Shah. But Islam Shah's unconciliatory nature alienated many Afghan chieftains. Eventually, the squabbling for succession among Shir Shah's followers allowed Humayun and the Mughals to return to power in 1555.