#shershahsur

[notesonindianhistory]

Fortune had befriended Farid Khan, an Afghan of humble origins, greatly, that he rose to the throne of Delhi, after overthrowing the Mughal emperor Humayun. Farid is none other than Sher Shah Suri, the Lion King (r: 1540-1545). After a short but successful reign of 5 years, Sher Shah died on 22 May 1545 in a gunpowder explosion during the siege of Kalinjar.

Sher Shah's two sons were absent at the time of his death; his eldest son, the heir apparent, Adil Khan was at Ranthambore and Jalal Khan, his second son, was at Rewa. A conference was held by Isa Khan Hijab and other great men of the kingdom to decide who should succeed to the throne. They decided in favour of Jalal Khan because Adil Khan was fond of ease and pleasure while Jalal, though minor in years, was a brave warrior, and had always excellently managed the business confided to him by his father. Moreover, Jalal was at a short distance.