National University

of Computer and Emerging Sciences

Chiniot-Faisalabad Campus

SS1003 – Pak Study

Assignment Number 1
Due Date: 12 Feb 2024

Submitted By
Name: Usama, Saud, Azan, Moatasim, Hassan

Student ID: 23F-6090, 23F-6078, 23F-6085, 23F-6074, 23F-6081

Section: BSEE-2B

Submitted To
Instructor Usman Ali

Submission Date
11 Feb 2024

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Title: Zahiruddin Babur's Invasion of India (1526-1530)

Background:

Babur, a descendant of Timur on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's,
was driven from his ancestral home in Central Asia and sought to establish a new
empire in the Indian subcontinent. His ambitions were fueled by a desire for power,
wealth, and territorial expansion. The political landscape of India at the time was
characterized by the breakup of the Delhi Empire and the rise of regional powers,
creating a power vacuum that Babur had to fill.

Introduction:

Zahiruddin Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, launched a historic invasion of
India in 1526. It marks a turning point in the history of the Indian subcontinent, as it
laid the foundation for one of the most influential and enduring empires in the Mughal
Empire. Babur's invasion of the region, culminating in the Battle of Panipat in 1526,
was a complex interplay of military strategy, political dynamics, and cultural
encounters that shaped India's destiny for centuries to come.

Military campaign:

Babur's military campaign in India began in 1526 when he faced Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi
of Delhi at the Battle of Panipat. Despite being outnumbered, Babur's superior military
strategy, effective use of artillery and disciplined army won a decisive victory. This
marked the end of the Lodhi dynasty and the establishment of the Mughal Empire in
India. Babur's success can be attributed to his military acumen, adaptability and
integration of new technologies and strategies.

Cultural Encounters:

Babur's invasion also started a series of cultural encounters between Central Asian and
Indian civilizations. The Mughals, with their Turko-Mongol heritage, encountered the

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rich and diverse culture of India. This interaction resulted in the synthesis of various
artistic, architectural and literary traditions, resulting in the emergence of a unique
cultural identity of the Mughals. Babur himself was a poet and an aesthetician, who
contributed to the cultural splendor of the Mughal court.

Management Stability:

After the initial success at Panipat, Babur faced several challenges in consolidating his
rule. It had to contend with internal rebellions, external threats and a diverse socio-
cultural landscape. Despite these challenges, Babur demonstrated managerial skills
and adaptability. His establishment of an efficient administrative system laid the
foundation for the flourishing of the Mughal Empire under his successors, especially
Akbar.

Inheritance:

Zaheeruddin Babur's invasion of India in 1526 left an indelible mark on the history of
the subcontinent. The establishment of the Mughal Empire shaped the political,
cultural and social landscape of India for centuries. The Mughal Empire witnessed a
golden age of art, literature and architecture, with monumental structures such as the
Taj Mahal standing as enduring symbols of their legacy. Babur's victory laid the
foundation for the rise of the Mughal Empire and its lasting impact on the
Indian subcontinent.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Babur established Mughal rule in India through military conquest and
administrative reforms. His victories over the Delhi Sultanate and Rajput Confederacy
marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire, which would go on to rule India for over
three centuries.

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Reference:

 Baynes, T. S., ed. (1878), "Baber" , Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 3 (9th ed.),
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 179
 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911), "Baber" , Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 3 (11th ed.),
Cambridge University Press, p. 92
 Cambridge History of India, vol. III, Cambridge University Press, 1928
 Cambridge History of India, vol. IV, Cambridge University Press, 1937

Title: Sher Shah Suri rule and successor (1540-1555)

Background:

Sher Shah was one of the greatest administrator and rulers of the medieval India. The
original name of Sher Shah, the lion king, was Farid. He was the grand son of
Ibrahim Sur and the son of Hussain. His grandfather came to Indiain search of
employment in the time of Bahlol Lodhi and joined services in the Punjab. Farid is
said to have been born in the Punjab in 1472. After Farid’s birth, both his grandfather
and father entered in the services of Jamal Khan in the Punjab.

Introduction:

Sher Shah Suri was born in 1486. His original name was Farīd Khān. He was the
founder of the Suri Empire in India, with its capital in Sasaram in modern-day Bihar.
He introduced the currency rupee. Sher Shah of Sur took control of the Mughal
Empire in 1540. In this article, get NCERT notes on Sher Shah Suri and the Sur
Dynasty. In his reign, he remained undefeated in battle, being renowned as one of the
most skillful Afghan generals ever produced.

Rule (1540-1545):

Sher Shah Suri initially ascended to power after defeating the Mughal emperor
Humayun in the Battle of Kannauj in 1540. Humayun was forced into exile, and Sher
Shah established the Sur dynasty. During his short reign, Sher Shah implemented

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various administrative and economic reforms that aimed at improving the efficiency
of the government and the welfare of the people.

Contributions:

Some of Sher Shah's notable contributions during this period include:

Administrative Reforms:

Sher Shah established an efficient administrative system based on the division of the
empire into provinces, districts, and smaller administrative units. He appointed
capable officers to govern these regions and introduced a system of regular revenue
collection.

Land Revenue System:

Sher Shah is credited with introducing a revenue system based on direct assessment
of agricultural produce. This system aimed to ensure fair taxation and the collection
of revenue in a systematic manner. The revenue assessment was based on the fertility
of the land.

Infrastructure Development:

Sher Shah was instrumental in the construction of the Grand Trunk Road, which
connected Bengal in the east with the Punjab region in the west. This road facilitated
trade and communication throughout the empire.

Postal System:

Sher Shah established an efficient postal system known as the "Dak Chowki," which
helped in maintaining communication and swift transfer of information across the
empire.

Successor:

After Sher Shah Suri's death in 1545, his son Islam Shah Suri succeeded him as the
ruler of the Sur dynasty. Islam Shah Suri faced internal conflicts and challenges

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during his reign, and the Sur dynasty continued under his leadership until his death in
1554. After Islam Shah's death, there was a power struggle among Sher Shah's
descendants, leading to the eventual return of the Mughal emperor Humayun in 1555.
Humayun defeated Sikandar Suri, one of Sher Shah's sons, and regained control of
Delhi, marking the end of the Sur dynasty's rule.

Conclusion:

Sher Shah ruled the whole of north India for five years, annexing Malwa and
defeating the Rajputs. He reorganized the administration, laying foundations on
which the Mughal emperor Akbar later built. He was killed by a cannonball while
besieging the fortress of Kalinjar in central India.

Reference:

 Ahmed, ABM Shamsuddin (2012). "Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah". In Islam,

Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of
Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
 Ali Khan, Zulfiqar (1925). Sher Shah Suri, Emperor of India. Lahore: Civil and
Military Gazette Press.
 Aquil, Raziuddin (2007). Sufism, Culture, and Politics: Afghans and Islam in
Medieval North India. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN.
 Asher, Catherine B. (1977). "The Mausoleum of Sher Shāh Sūrī". Artibus Asiae.

Title: Naseerud-din Humayun Art and Culture in India

(1530-1540):

Background:

Humayun “the Fortunate” was the eldest son of Babur. He had three brothers,
Kamran, Askari and Hindal. He was the son of Mahim Begum. Young Humayun
learnt Turki, Arabic and Persian. On account of his careless habits, he did not acquire
the exactness of a scholar. In his early youth, he was associated by his father with the

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government of the country. He was appointed the governor of Badakhshan at the age
of 20.

Introduction:

Humayun was born in Kabul in March 1508. He succeeded his father in India in
1530, while his half-brother Kamran Mirza, who became a rather bitter rival, obtained
the sovereignty of Kabul and Lahore, the more northern parts of their father's empire.
He originally ascended the throne at the age of 22 proving somewhat inexperienced
when he came to power.

Mughal Architecture:

Humayun continued the Mughal tradition of patronizing architecture. The

construction of monumental structures, such as forts, palaces, and mosques, continued
during his reign. However, there were not many notable architectural achievements
during this specific period.

Artistic Patronage:

The Mughal court continued to be a center for artistic patronage. Humayun himself
was interested in the arts and surrounded himself with poets, scholars, and artists.
However, the flourishing of Mughal art would come in later years under the reign of
his son, Akbar.

Book Illustration and Miniature Painting:

The art of miniature painting flourished during this time. While the earliest Mughal
miniature paintings date back to Humayun's time, it wasn't until later in Akbar's reign
that the art form truly flourished. Nevertheless, there were notable developments in
manuscript illustration and miniature painting during Humayun's reign.

Cultural Exchange:

Humayun's brief exile in Persia (1540-1555), following his defeat by Sher Shah Suri,
had a significant impact on cultural exchange between India and Persia. He brought

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back Persian influence in art, culture, and administration, which would shape Mughal
culture in the subsequent years.

Literature and Poetry:

Poetry continued to be highly valued at the Mughal court. Persian poetry was
particularly esteemed, and Humayun himself was a poet. The court of Humayun
attracted poets and scholars from various parts of the Islamic world, enriching the
literary scene.

Religious Patronage:

Humayun's reign saw a continuation of the policy of religious tolerance initiated by

his father, Babur. This policy helped in fostering a diverse cultural atmosphere where
different religious and cultural traditions could flourish.

Conclusion:

The period of Naseeruddin Humayun's reign from 1530 to 1540 marked a pivotal
juncture in the evolution of art and culture in India under Mughal rule. Despite facing
political challenges and the brevity of his first reign, Humayun's contributions to the
artistic and cultural landscape were crucial in laying the groundwork for the
flourishing Mughal traditions.

Reference:

 Alam, Muzaffar, and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. The Mughal State, 1526-

1750. Oxford in India readings. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000.
 Begum, Gulbadan. Humayun-nama the history of Humayun. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel
Publications, 2002.
 Crooke, William, and James Tod. Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or, the
Central & Western Rajpoot States of India. Andesite Press, 2015 (original 1902).
 Gascoigne, Bamber. A Brief History of the Great Moghuls. London: Robinson,
2002.

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