Humayun

Lore & Background

Humayun succeeded his father Babur to the throne of Delhi on 26 December 1530 at age 22. He was an inexperienced ruler. His half-brother Kamran Mirza inherited Kabul and Kandahar, and the two became bitter rivals. Early in his reign, Humayun lost his entire empire to Sher Shah Suri but regained it 15 years later with Safavid aid. His return from Persia was accompanied by a large retinue of Persian noblemen, signaling an important change in Mughal court culture, overshadowing Central Asian origins with Persian art, architecture, language, and literature.

Humayun faced major rivals: Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri in Bihar. His first campaign was against Sher Shah Suri, but he abandoned it to focus on Gujarat, where he was victorious, annexing Gujarat, Malwa, Champaner, and Mandu. However, after Humayun marched back to Agra, Sher Shah Suri invaded Bengal and besieged Gaur. Humayun delayed while taking Chunar, and Gaur fell. In June 1539, at the Battle of Chausa, Sher Shah reneged on a truce and attacked the unprepared Mughal camp; Humayun survived by swimming the Ganges using an air-filled water skin. He was defeated again at the Battle of Kannauj on 17 May 1540 and retreated to Agra.

Reader's Guide

Humayun's significance lies in his role as the second Mughal emperor who, despite losing his entire empire, regained it with Safavid aid, thereby reshaping Mughal culture. His return from Persia introduced Persian noblemen and artistic influences that permanently altered the dynasty's character. Stone carvings and thousands of Persian manuscripts in India from his time remain today. His quick expansion after returning to power left a substantial legacy for his son, Akbar. The division of Babur's territories between Humayun and Kamran Mirza followed Central Asian practice but led to bitter rivalry and fratricidal conflict. Humayun's reign illustrates the fragility of early Mughal rule and the importance of external alliances. His death in 1556 ended a reign that, despite setbacks, established foundations for the empire's later growth.

Did You Know?

• Humayun was born as Nasir al-Din Muhammad to Babur's favourite wife Māham Begum on 6 March 1508.
• He lost his entire empire to Sher Shah Suri but regained it 15 years later with Safavid aid.
• At the Battle of Chausa in June 1539, Humayun survived by swimming across the Ganges using an air-filled water skin.
• At the time of his death, the Mughal Empire spanned almost one million square kilometers.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Indeed Suleiman the Magnificent, deserves to be called the only Padshah on Earth." — Humayun "as quoted in Pan-Islamism: Indian Muslims, the Ottomans and Britain, 1877-1924 (1997) by Azmi Ozcan During a discussion with the Ottoman Admiral Syedi Ali Reis, the Mughal Emperor Humayun." — Humayun "He holds aloft the banner of Islam and knocks down the infamous idols. He does away with people of infidelity and hostility (of Islam)." — Humayun