The Meteoric Ascent and Fiery End of Sher Khan: An Akbarnama Perspective

The tapestry of 16th-century Hindustan is rich with tales of shifting power, and few figures loom as large in challenging the nascent Mughal authority as Sher Khan Sur. Rising from relative obscurity, he dealt Emperor Humayun a decisive blow, forcing him into exile. But his reign, though impactful, was as swift and dramatic as his ascent, culminating in a fiery end that the Akbarnama recounts with a sense of divine retribution.

From Challenger to Sovereign: Seizing the Throne

Following his victory over Humayun at Kanauj, Sher Khan didn't immediately sweep across the land. The Akbarnama notes his cautious advance across the Beas river, wary of the remnants of the royal army. He moved through areas like Lahore, Khushab, and Bhera, consolidating his position. A key challenge arose from the Ghakkar landholders, Sultan Sarrang and Sultan Adam, who, loyal to the memory of Babar, refused his summons. Sher Khan's response was strategic: rather than a full-scale, difficult mountain campaign, he opted to build a formidable fort, Rohtas, in their territory. This served a dual purpose – to keep watch on the royal army and to gradually wear down the Ghakkars by devastating their lands. This blend of military pressure and strategic infrastructure marked his approach.

With Humayun in exile, Sher Khan's path to supremacy in much of India was clear. He took control of key strongholds like Gwalior, where Mir Abu-l-Qasim was forced to surrender. The Akbarnama highlights his administrative ambition, noting his division of India (excluding Bengal) into 47 administrative units. He is credited with introducing the branding of soldiers' horses, a measure aimed at preventing fraud, and implemented other administrative plans reportedly inspired by the Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi, a history of earlier Delhi Sultans.

Campaigns and Controversies: Ruling with an Iron Hand

Sher Khan's reign was characterized by relentless campaigning to expand and secure his domain. He turned his attention to the Rajput states, formidable powers in their own right. His campaigns against Raisin and Chanderi, ruled by Puran Mal, stand out in the Akbarnama for their controversial nature. The text recounts how Sher Khan lured Puran Mal out of the fort with a dishonest treaty and false promises. What followed was a massacre, instigated, according to the chronicle, by "misguided lawyers" who justified the breach of faith. The author of the Akbarnama expresses clear indignation at this act, highlighting the moral failing despite the military success. This episode reveals a darker side to Sher Khan's pragmatism, where political expediency trumped honor.

He continued his conquests, taking Chitor and Ranthambhor through cunning rather than costly sieges, using "juggleries" to obtain the keys to the forts. His reach extended to areas like Dhundira (modern Jaipur), further cementing his control over northern India.

The Final Siege and Fiery Demise

Sher Khan's final campaign led him to the formidable fort of Kalinjar. The Akbarnama describes the intense siege, with the construction of covered approaches (sabathas) and the driving of mines. It was during this siege, on the 10th of Muharram, 952 Hijri (corresponding to March 5, 1545 CE), that fate intervened dramatically. The text attributes his death to "flames of fire which had spontaneously arisen out of the smoke-sighs of the oppressed," a clear expression of the Akbarnama's perspective on divine justice. The chronogram found for his combustion was "as atish murd" (died from fire), which numerically yields the year 952.

He died taking the citadel, his life departing from its "elemental quadrilateral" (the body) as the fort fell into his possession. His reign, marked by relentless energy and strategic acumen, lasted just "5 years, 2 months, 13 days," a brief but impactful period.

A Fleeting Dynasty and Lasting Lessons

Sher Khan was succeeded by his younger son, Jalal Khan, who took the title Islam Khan Shah. The Akbarnama tersely notes that he "surpassed even his father in wickedness." The chronicle views their dynasty's power as temporary, like the "light of fireflies," allowed by God for reasons hidden within divine wisdom before being swept away. This perspective frames Sher Khan's rise and fall not just as a political event, but as a chapter in a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative.

Sher Khan's story, as told through the lens of the Akbarnama, is a compelling account of ambition, strategic brilliance, administrative innovation, and moral compromise. His ability to challenge and displace the Mughals, his reforms, and his controversial actions like the Raisin massacre are all part of a complex legacy. Remembering his history, including the narrative of his dramatic end as divine retribution, offers insights into the political and cultural values of the time and serves as a reminder of the often-unpredictable nature of power. It underscores the importance of preserving historical accounts, like the Akbarnama, to understand the multifaceted figures who shaped the past.