OCR Specification focus:
‘The Suri Dynasty under Sher Shah (Sher Khan) and Islam Shah; administrative development’
The Suri Dynasty marked a crucial interlude in Indian history, with Sher Shah Suri’s reforms reshaping governance, administration, and economy, laying foundations later inherited by the Mughals.
The Rise of the Suri Dynasty
Sher Shah’s Background
Sher Shah Suri (originally Sher Khan) was an Afghan noble who rose to prominence under the Lodi and later Mughal regimes. After Humayun’s weakness in maintaining control, Sher Shah defeated him at the Battle of Chausa (1539) and the Battle of Kannauj (1540), expelling Humayun and establishing the Suri Dynasty in northern India. His rule (1540–1545) was brief but transformative.
Islam Shah’s Succession
Sher Shah’s death in 1545, following a military accident, brought his son Islam Shah (1545–1554) to the throne. Although less dynamic, Islam Shah managed to uphold the administrative structures and military strength created by his father, preserving the Suri legacy for nearly a decade.
Administrative Development under Sher Shah
Sher Shah Suri is remembered above all for his administrative innovations, many of which were later refined and adopted by the Mughal Empire. His policies combined efficiency, centralisation, and fairness, seeking both stability and prosperity.
Centralisation of Power
Sher Shah established a strong central authority to counteract the feudal tendencies of Afghan nobles:
Direct supervision of provinces, reducing the autonomy of local governors.
Appointment of officials based on merit rather than hereditary claims.
Strict regulations against corruption and misuse of resources.
Land Revenue System
Perhaps Sher Shah’s greatest achievement was his reform of land revenue administration, designed to ensure fairness for peasants while maximising state income.
Land Revenue System: A structured method of assessing and collecting agricultural tax based on land measurement, productivity, and standardised rates.
His policies included:
Survey and Measurement: Introduction of systematic land surveys and the use of measuring rods (gaz) to assess cultivable land.
Classification of Land: Division of agricultural land into three categories — good, middling, and bad — with revenue fixed accordingly.
Cash Payments: Replacement of arbitrary grain collections with standardised cash payments, encouraging stability and predictability.
Record-keeping: Maintenance of detailed records through the Patwari (village accountant) and Qanungo (district record-keeper).
This system reduced exploitation and ensured the peasantry’s loyalty, while strengthening the empire’s fiscal base.
Judicial and Law Enforcement Reforms
Sher Shah emphasised justice and order as foundations of good governance:
Appointment of Qazis (judges) to oversee local courts.
Separation of judicial and executive powers to limit abuse.
Harsh punishments for corruption, theft, and extortion, making the roads safer for trade and travel.
Military Organisation
Sher Shah’s military reforms helped consolidate his power:
Introduction of the Dagh (branding) system, marking horses to prevent fraud in military maintenance.
Regular inspection of troops and strict discipline within the army.
Fort construction in strategic areas to strengthen defence and administration.
Official UNESCO map of Rohtas Fort, commissioned by Sher Shah in 1541. Source
These measures created a more professional and loyal army, enhancing stability.
Infrastructure and Trade
Sher Shah invested heavily in infrastructure to stimulate commerce and secure his rule.
Road Network: Construction of the Grand Trunk Road from Bengal to the north-west frontier, later maintained by the Mughals and the British.
Caravanserais (rest-houses) at regular intervals, fostering safe travel for merchants and pilgrims.
Postal System: Establishment of a courier system using horses to deliver state correspondence efficiently.
Photograph of a Kos Minar, one of the milestones built along the Grand Trunk Road. These pillars standardised distances and supported postal and relay systems during Sher Shah’s reign. Source
Market Regulation: Standardisation of weights and measures, price controls on essential goods, and prevention of hoarding.
These reforms boosted trade, reduced poverty, and integrated the empire economically.
Islam Shah and Continuity of Administration
Although Islam Shah lacked the charisma of his father, he proved competent in maintaining order:
Continued centralisation policies, limiting the independence of Afghan nobles.
Preservation of the land revenue system, though without significant innovation.
Maintenance of law and order through loyal officials and military campaigns against rebels.
However, after Islam Shah’s death in 1554, the dynasty quickly weakened. His successors faced factional struggles and internal instability, paving the way for Humayun’s return in 1555 with Persian assistance.
Legacy of the Suri Dynasty
The Suri Dynasty’s achievements far outlived its short existence. Sher Shah’s reforms provided:
A model of efficient governance later adopted by Akbar in the Mughal Empire.
Economic integration and stability through trade and revenue systems.
A cultural memory of fair and strong rule, contrasting with Mughal instability under Humayun.
In this sense, the Suri period represents both a disruption of Mughal authority and a crucial foundation for Mughal success in the later sixteenth century.
FAQ
Sher Shah encountered resistance from Afghan nobles, who disliked losing local autonomy under centralisation.
He also had to overcome logistical issues in standardising land measurement across diverse regions, which required training officials and ensuring compliance.
Finally, maintaining roads, forts and postal stations demanded large financial resources, which meant balancing investment in infrastructure with sustaining the empire’s military campaigns.
Sher Shah introduced a new silver coin, the rupiya, weighing 178 grains.
This standardised system replaced the inconsistent and debased coins in circulation.
It created a uniform currency across the empire, facilitating trade.
The coinage reform reduced corruption among money-changers and gave merchants greater confidence in transactions.
These measures tied directly into his broader aim of establishing order and predictability in economic life.
The road acted as the backbone of the Suri administrative system, linking the eastern and north-western frontiers.
Officials could move quickly between provinces, ensuring closer central oversight.
Revenue could be collected more efficiently, as produce and cash moved securely.
Military forces could be deployed rapidly against rebellion or invasion.
Thus, it was not only an economic asset but also a political tool that reinforced state power.
Islam Shah lacked Sher Shah’s dynamism but was stricter in some areas.
He reduced the power of Afghan nobles by employing loyal servants, rather than broad-based merit appointments.
Unlike Sher Shah, who balanced firmness with pragmatism, Islam Shah ruled with more severity, often alienating sections of the nobility.
His reliance on personal loyalty meant that after his death, factional disputes destabilised the dynasty.
Rohtas Fort was designed to prevent Humayun’s return from Persia and to secure control over rebellious Afghans.
It functioned both as a military stronghold and an administrative hub.
The scale of its walls and gates allowed for long-term defence and storage of supplies.
Symbolically, it projected the dynasty’s strength, deterring internal revolt and external threats alike.
The fort exemplified how military and administrative priorities were fused under Sher Shah’s rule.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name two reforms introduced by Sher Shah Suri to improve trade and communication in his empire.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for each correctly identified reform, up to a maximum of 2 marks.
Acceptable answers include:Construction of the Grand Trunk Road (1 mark)
Establishment of caravanserais/rest houses (1 mark)
Postal system using relay horses (1 mark)
Installation of Kos Minars as milestones (1 mark)
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain how Sher Shah Suri’s land revenue system strengthened his control over the empire.
Mark Scheme:
Award 1–2 marks for simple or generalised statements (e.g., “The land revenue system increased state income”).
Award 3–4 marks for developed points showing some explanation of impact (e.g., “The land revenue system measured and classified land so peasants paid fairly, which made them more loyal and reduced rebellion”).
Award 5–6 marks for detailed explanation with specific examples, making clear links to imperial stability (e.g., “Sher Shah’s land revenue system used surveys and classification of land into good, middling and bad, ensuring fair taxation. Records kept by Patwaris and Qanungos reduced corruption, strengthening state control and ensuring peasant loyalty, which consolidated his empire”).
Maximum: 6 marks.
