The Fragile Inheritance of a Divided Empire

Humayun’s ascension to the Mughal throne in 1530 followed the tradition established by Genghis Khan and Timur, where power was shared among male heirs. Though designated as his father Babur’s successor, Humayun faced immediate challenges from his ambitious brothers—Kamran, Askari, and Hindal—each granted territories yet resentful of their exclusion from supreme rule. Kamran, dissatisfied with his domains of Kabul and Kandahar, seized Punjab, forcing Humayun to accept the fractured status quo. This division sowed the seeds of instability, reflecting the Mughal Empire’s struggle to balance centralized authority with the Turco-Mongol tradition of collective sovereignty.

Clash with Bahadur Shah: A Pyrrhic Victory

A greater threat emerged from Bahadur Shah (1505–1537), the ruler of prosperous Gujarat, whose forces boasted advanced artillery manned by Portuguese mercenaries. In 1535, Humayun marched south, capturing Champaner in a daring night assault and plundering Bahadur Shah’s treasury. His subsequent occupation of Ahmedabad and the Malwa fortress of Mandu showcased Mughal military prowess. Yet Humayun’s failure to consolidate these gains proved fatal. Preferring lavish celebrations over governance, he indulged in wine, opium (consumed with rosewater), and poetry—a habit noted by historian Bamber Gascoigne as prioritizing fleeting triumphs over long-term strategy.

The Rise of Sher Shah Suri: A Rival Unchecked

Humayun’s absence in Agra allowed Sher Shah Suri (1486–1545), a former Lodhi dynasty servant turned Afghan warlord, to exploit Mughal vulnerabilities. By 1537, Sher Shah besieged Bengal’s capital, Gaur. Humayun’s delayed response—spending six months futilely attacking Chunar Fort—allowed Sher Shah to sack Gaur, fund a massive army, and crown himself Sultan. Humayun’s indecision worsened when, upon reaching Gaur, he became enchanted by its gardens and courtly pleasures instead of pursuing his rival.

Fratricide and Collapse: The Battle of Chausa

Internal betrayal sealed Humayun’s fate. His half-brother Hindal declared himself emperor in Agra, while Kamran conspired to partition the empire. During the 1539 monsoon, Sher Shah ambushed Humayun’s forces at Chausa. Abandoned by his brothers, Humayun narrowly escaped drowning in the Ganges, saved by a peasant’s water-bag. In a poignant gesture, he granted the peasant a symbolic day as emperor. The subsequent rout at Kannauj marked the Mughals’ retreat from India after just 11 years of rule.

Exile and Redemption: The Road to Persia

Fleeing to Lahore and later Sindh, Humayun married Hamida Banu in 1541. Their son, Akbar—destined to become the empire’s greatest ruler—was born in 1542 at Umarkot. Seeking aid, Humayun converted to Shi’ism under Safavid Shah Tahmasp in exchange for military support, even surrendering the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond. By 1545, with Persian troops, he reclaimed Kandahar and Kabul, blinding the rebellious Kamran as punishment.

Sher Shah’s Legacy and Humayun’s Return

Sher Shah’s death in 1545 (from a gunpowder explosion at Kalinjar Fort) triggered succession chaos. His reforms—standardized silver rupiya coins, the Grand Trunk Road, and anti-corruption measures—had briefly stabilized northern India. By 1555, Humayun capitalized on Afghan disarray, defeating Sher Shah’s successors at Sirhind and reclaiming Delhi.

A Tragic End and Lasting Legacy

Humayun’s restoration was short-lived. In January 1556, he fatally tripped on his robe’s hem at Purana Qila’s library, uttering, “I accept the divine summons.” His death paved the way for Akbar’s golden age, while Sher Shah’s 46-meter tomb at Sasaram inspired later Mughal mausoleums, including the Taj Mahal. Humayun’s reign, marked by brilliance and folly, underscores the precariousness of empire—a lesson etched into the stones of his own grand Delhi tomb.