Sikandar Shah Suri

Sikandar Shah Suri (died 1559) was the last ruling King of Hindustan from the Sur dynasty. He became Sultan (king) in February 1555 until his defeat on 22 June 1555. He was the second-to-last ruler of the Sur Empire. His defeat by Humayun and loss of Delhi was the end of the Sur Empire's 15-year rule over the throne of Hindustan, but the Suris continued to rule the eastern parts of the empire for another year.

Early life
Sikandar Shah Suri's real name was Ahmad Khan Suri. He was the brother-in-law of sultan Muhammad Adil Shah. He was the Sur Empire's governor of Lahore before rebelling against Delhi in 1555.Majumdar, R.C. (ed.) (2007). The Mughul Empire, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, , pp.94-6

Rule
After rebelling he became an independent sultan and he ruled over Punjab - once Punjab was under his control he then marched towards sultan Ibrahim Shah Suri's forces. Sikandar defeated Ibrahim in a battle at Farah near Agra and took over both Delhi and Agra. While Sikandar was busy fighting against Ibrahim, the old Mughal emperor Humayun captured Lahore in February 1555 and another part of his forces captured Dipalpur. Next, the Mughal army occupied Jalandhar and then they marched to Sirhind.

To stop them, Sikandar sent a force of 30,000 cavalrymen (men on horses) but they were defeated by the Mughal army in a battle at Machhiwara and Sirhind was taken over by the Mughals. Sikandar, then led an army of 80,000 cavalrymen himself and met the Mughals at Sirhind. On 22 June 1555 he was defeated by the Mughal army and was forced to retreat to the Sivalik Hills in northern Punjab. The Mughals then marched to Delhi and took it over.

Last days
In late 1556, Sikandar went back into action again, he defeated Mughal general Khizr Khwaja Khan at Chamiari (now in Amritsar district) and began to collect taxes with Kalanaur as his capital. The Mughals then sent forces against him and finally on 7 December 1556 Akbar along with Bairam Khan left Delhi to deal with him. Sikandar again retreated and took refuge at Fort Mau in the Nurpur kingdom. After six months of fighting and resistance from the fort, Sikandar surrendered on 25 July 1557.Majumdar, R.C. (ed.) (2007). The Mughul Empire, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, , pp.106-7 His local supporter, Raja Bakht Mal, Raja of Nurpur, was imprisoned at Lahore and later beheaded on orders of Bairam Khan. Sikandar was sent to Bihar where he died in 1559.

Notes

Category:1559 deaths