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Humayun: Battles and Legacy Overview

Humayun (1508-1556 AD) was a Mughal emperor known for his establishment of the city Dinpanah and his belief in astrology. He faced several military challenges, including defeats by Sher Shah Suri, leading to a 15-year exile before regaining his throne in 1555. His tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum, marked the introduction of Persian architectural styles in India.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
17 views4 pages

Humayun: Battles and Legacy Overview

Humayun (1508-1556 AD) was a Mughal emperor known for his establishment of the city Dinpanah and his belief in astrology. He faced several military challenges, including defeats by Sher Shah Suri, leading to a 15-year exile before regaining his throne in 1555. His tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum, marked the introduction of Persian architectural styles in India.
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© All Rights Reserved
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Study Notes

Humayun
Humayun

Humayun (Nasiruddin Humayun) (1530 – 1556 AD)

• He was born in 6 March 1508 in Kabul.

• His coronation was held in Agra and before coronation he was the governor of
Badakshah (Bihar).

• He divided his empire with his three brothers.

• In 1533 AD, Humayun established new city called Dinpanah.

• His biography “Humayun Namah” was written by his sister Gulbadan Begum.

• He also believed in Astrology, so he wears different colour cloths in different days of


week like in Sunday he wears Yellow, Monday – white, Thursday – Blue and Saturday –
Black.

Humayun Expeditions

Battle of Kalinzar (1534 AD)

• This battle was held between Humayun and Pratap Rudra Dev.

• This battle was unsuccessful because during this battle Mehmud Lodhi invaded Agra
and for protecting Agra Humayun came back with his army.

Battle of Chunar (1532 AD)

• This battle was held between Humayun and Sher Shah of Afghan.

• In this battle the agreement was signed by Humayun and Sher Shah in which, Sher
Shah gave his army to Humayun with his son Kutub Shah and in return Humayun
relieve his fort of Chunar to Sher Shah.

• In 1536-37 AD, Humayun again invaded Chunar because he wanted to annexed


Bengal’s capital Gonda.

Gujarat Battle (1536 AD)

• This battle was held between Humayun and Bahadur Shah.

• In this battle Bahadur Shah take help from Turkey’s king Rusi Khan but he defeated by
Humayun.

Battle of Chausa (27 June 1539 AD)

• While returning from Bengal expedition, Humayun was attacked by Sher Shah (Sher
Khan) in Chausa.

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Humayun

• In this battle Humayun was defeated badly and Humayun was saved by a boatman
named Bhisthi, in reward of this act, Humayun made him the king of his empire for one
day.

Battle of Bilgram (17 May 1540 AD)

• Humayun and his brother Askari invaded Bilgram (Kannauj) but he was defeated by
Sher Shah Suri and he annexed Delhi and Agra from Humayun.

• After this battle Humayun fled to Sindh (Amarkot) and lived there for 15 years (1540 –
1555). The ruler of Amarkot, Rana Parshad (Rajput) gave him the shelter.

• He later moves to Persia and took refuge in the court of Safavid Ruler of Iran.

• Humayun married to Hamida Bano Begum and they lived in the court of Amarkot king.
Akbar was born in Amarkot in 1542 AD.

• In 1545 AD, Humayun annexed Kabul and Kandahar.

• In 1553 AD, after the death of Sher Shah’s successor Islam Khan, Humayun return to
India.

• In 1554 AD, Humayun moved his army to Lahore and annexed its all-empire of Lahore.

Battle of Sarhind (1555 AD)

• This battle was held between Bairam Khan and Afghan Sardar Sikandar Sher Shah.

• In this battle Afghans were defeated badly.

• This battle was known as the end of Afghans empire in India.

• After this battle Humayun again acceded to the throne of Delhi with the help of Safavid
Dynasty of Iran.

• Humayun died after gliding from Sher Mandal library’s stairs.

• His tomb was constructed by Haji Begum in old Delhi near the dargah (mausoleum) of
the Sufi saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya with the help of architect Gayas Beg in
Iranian Tomb Culture.

• Humayun’s Tomb introduced India to the Persian style of a domed mausoleum set in
the centre of a landscaped Char-Bagh Garden.

Haji Begum

• Humayun’s first wife Haji Begum also known as Bega Begum was a Persian from
Khorasan and a daughter of Humayun’s maternal uncle.

• She went off to the Haj and came back with Arab craftsmen who worked at the tomb.

3
Humayun

• The contemporary historian Badauni writes that Akbar and Bega Begum were very
close and he describes her as a ‘second mother to Akbar’.

• Bega Begum was the first of the Mughal women to become a builder.

• Bega Begum is buried in the mausoleum near her husband, and somewhere nearby is
the grave of one of the most unfortunate princes of the dynasty – Dara Shukoh.

Common questions

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Humayun's exile exposed him to Persian political and cultural dynamics, which contributed to his leadership effectiveness upon return. His reliance on Persian support informed his subsequent diplomacy, and his time in exile allowed him to cultivate resilience and strategic acumen, evident in his decisive campaign at the Battle of Sarhind .

Humayun's military campaigns were often marked by initial setbacks, such as the defeats at the Battle of Chausa and Bilgram, leading to significant territorial losses and a lengthy period of exile. His eventual return and victory, particularly at the Battle of Sarhind, marked the stabilization and reconsolidation of his empire, attributed significantly to support from the Safavid dynasty and effective military leadership from commanders like Bairam Khan .

Astrology played a vital role in Humayun's daily life, influencing his attire, as he wore specific colors on preset days influenced by astrological beliefs. This reliance on astrology reflects the broader Mughal cultural context where astrological advice was considered important for both personal and administrative decisions .

The division of Humayun's empire among his brothers led to internal conflicts and weakened the Mughal authority, making the empire vulnerable to external threats such as Sher Shah Suri's incursions. Such divisions reflected strategic errors in governance and foreshadowed succession issues that persisted in Mughal history .

'Humayun Namah' is significant as it provides a first-person account of Humayun's life from Gulbadan Begum's perspective, offering unique insights into his reign, personal life, and familial relations. It highlights the role of women in documenting history and contributes valuable primary source material for understanding Mughal history .

Humayun's marriage to Hamida Bano Begum during his exile is significant as it reflects strategic alignment with influential families. His refuge in Persia under the Safavid dynasty's protection was also partly tied to matrimonial alliances, showing the importance of family ties in securing political support during times of need .

Women like Bega Begum played crucial roles in Mughal politics, not only managing estates but also acting as cultural and political agents. Bega Begum's involvement in Humayun's Tomb's construction showcases her influence in perpetuating dynastic legacy and architecture, reflecting her strategic importance in Mughal cultural and heritage projects .

Humayun's time at the Safavid court significantly influenced Mughal architectural styles, as seen in the Persian elements of Humayun's Tomb, particularly the incorporation of the Char-Bagh layout and Persian dome styles. This period fostered cultural exchange that left a lasting mark on the aesthetic and architectural development of the Mughal Empire .

Humayun's decision to abandon the Battle of Kalinzar to protect Agra under siege by Mehmud Lodhi demonstrates a prioritization of key strategic and administrative centers over expanding territorial control. This decision underscores pragmatic governance, focusing on preserving control over established power bases .

Bega Begum, also known as Haji Begum, not only commissioned the construction of Humayun's tomb but brought back Arab craftsmen from her pilgrimage to assist in its construction. The tomb reflects Persian architectural influences as it introduced the Persian style of a domed mausoleum set in a Char-Bagh garden, indicating a blend of North Indian and Persian artistry .

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