Afghan-Mughal contest for the supremacy of India during the period 1526-1556.
Though Babur set-up Mughal rule in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First battle of Panipat but he faced a series of difficulties in strengthening the Mughal empire. The death of Babur in 1530 invited move troubles in strengthening the Mughal empire.
Babur was succeeded by his son Humayun in 1530 but he failed to face the challenges faced by the Afghans. In the beginning Humayun found himself surrounded with internal problems. But the real danger was presented by Sher Shah who emerged as an important power.
The Afghans were the most terrible enemies of Humayun. They had been the rulers of Delhi some years earlier and still they cherished to regain the lost power. Consequently, they hatched a conspiracy under Nusrat Shah of Bihar. In the meanwhile the Afghans proceeded towards Jaunpur and captured it under Mahmood Lodhi. They forced the Mughal governor of Jaunpur to flee. But lastly, Humayun was able to defeat the Afghans in the battle of Daahria in 1532. Thus it prevented Mahmood Lodhi to proceed further.
Conflict with Sher Shah: Sher Shah was a powerful Afghan who wanted to drive out the Mughals from India. He made himself the master of Bihar in 1531. He took the help of Bahadur Shah and compelled Humayun to run and Sher Khan.
Seize of Chittorgarh: Humayun captured the fort of Chunargarh. But on the otherside Sher Khan captured Kara, Benaras, Sambhal etc. He obstructed HUmayun on the way to capture Agra. He proceeded towards Agra in March 1539 to free it from the control of Hindal. Battle of Chausa: The armies of Humayun and Sher Khan met at Chausa and Sher Khan invaded the Mughal army on 26th June 1539. It was a surprise attack in chich the Mughal soldiers were lost in large number. Humayun just saved his life by plunging himself into the river Ganges. After this battle Sher Khan declared himself the Sultan. He captured Bengal and then returned to Kannauj.
The Battle of Bilgram or Kannauj: The battle of Kannauj took place in between Sher Khan and Humayun in May, 1540. It was a decisive battle in which Humayun failed to face the strong army of Sher Khan. The Afghan under Sher Khan fought bravely and drove away the Mughal forces. Humayun himself had to run away for life. He managed to reach Agra and from there he went to Sind because Sher Khan was chasing him, Thus Sher Khan captured the throne of Delhi and declared himself the King of India. Humayun lost his throne and became fugitive for fifteen years.
Thus Sher Khan began to rule as King and Humayun went out of Indian political scane. But Sher Shah passed away in 1545 and was succeeded by his Jalal Kahn. But Jalal Khan failed to consolidate the empire established by Sher Shah. He lost the throne and was succeeded by his son Firoz Shah in 1554 but just after three days he was killed by his maternal al uncle. He assumed the tittle of Muhammad Adil Shah who ruled for sometime.
Rule of Muhammad Adil Shah : Adil Shah was not a competent ruler. He adopted the policy of appeasement and tried to win the support of the nobles. But soon he forgot his duties and remained involved in the pleasure in Harem. He failed to strengthen the Afghan kingdom. Consequently, he was suppressed and Ibrahim Khan raised a strong army and captured Delhi.
Battle of Panipat (1556): Hemu who was an important personality played a significant role in the history of Mughal- Afghan relations. He was superintendent of the market and gradually rose to power and established his control over avast territory spreading from Gwalior to the river Sutlej. But Akbar decided to crush him. Consequently, second Battle of panipat was fought in 1556 in between Akbar and Hemu. Hemu was defeated and killed. Akbar succeeded in establishing strong rule. The second battle of Panipat brought a remarkable change in the Mughal Afghan relations.
The successors of Sher Shah did not prove to be efficient. Revolt broke out during the rule of Adil Shah, Ibrahim Sur, Ahmad Shah, Sikandar Sur. These rulers failed to supress the revolt and the Mughal ruler Akbar suppressed the Afghans completely. His victory in the second Battle of Panipat dashed the Afghan dreams of setting up empire.
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