The Mughals HUMAYUN Grade 7 Introduction Babur had

The Mughals HUMAYUN Grade 7

Introduction � Babur had conquered extensive areas but he did not have the time to set up an organised administrative set-up in order to strengthen his possessions. � Thus, he passed on to his son, Humayun, a loosely- knit kingdom.

Extent of Humayun’s Kingdom � Humayun succeeded to a vast empire which stretched from Kabul in the west to Bihar in the east and from the Himalayas in the north to Gwalior. � It was a weak empire without stability.

HUMAYUN � Humayun lacked the qualities that were necessary to consolidate a large empire. � He was also surrounded by enemies on all sides. � The Afghan chiefs within the empire were ambitious and rebellious. The most dangerous was Sher khan, who was gaining power and he wanted to rule Delhi. � Bahadur Shah of Gujarat wanted to capture Delhi and become the emperor of India.

� Humayun treated his three younger brothers with kindness and generosity. � He divided the empire between himself and his brothers. � However, his brothers were openly hostile and constantly plotted against him. � Humayun marched against Bahadur Shah and captured the whole of Gujarat. � Taking advantage of Humayun’s absence from Agra, Sher Khan invaded Bengal.

Turning Point- Battle of Kanauj � Encouraged by his success, Sher Khan planned another attack. He made elaborate military preparations. � The two armies clashed at Kanauj. � The Mughal forces were defeated. � Sher Khan became the master of Delhi and Agra and assumed the tile of Sher Shah. � Thus the Mughal rule was replaced by the Afghan rule.

Humayun’s Exile � For the next fifteen years (1540 - 1555 AD), Humayun wandered about from place to place in search of shelter. � His brothers refused to help him. � In 1542 AD, in a small town in Sindh, a son, Akbar, was born to Humayun and his wife, Hamida Banu. � Humayun finally left India and found refuge and assistance in the court of the Persian emperor.

Humayun’s Return � With military help from the Shah of Persia, Humayun returned and recovered Kabul and Kandahar from his youngest brother, who was blinded and sent to Mecca. � By 1554 AD, Humayun had made his position strong in Afghanistan. � In the meantime, Sher Shah had died. � His successors were weak. � Taking advantage f the situation, Humayun returned to India and recaptured Delhi and Agra. � Humayun died shortly afterwards in an accidental fall from the stairs of his library.

CONCLUSION � Humayun was only twenty-three years old when he ascended the Mughal throne. � He was pleasure-loving and addicted to opium. � He was not firm and forceful in dealing with his jealous and treacherous brothers. � He was a capable soldier but a poor general. � He lacked political wisdom, military foresight and suffered from indecision. � He had inherited a large and unstable empire and had to deal with an enemy like Sher Khan.