Humayun

Why is in news? Humayun, the comeback king

Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad better known by his name, Humayun; was the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, who ruled over territory in what is now Eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, and Bangladesh from 1530 to 1540 and again from 1555 to 1556.

Humayun was the eldest son of Babur. Humayun means “fortune” but he remained the most unfortunate ruler of the Mughal Empire.

Humayun was kind and generous, though he was not a good General and warrior.

He also loved painting and wrote poetry in the Persian language.

Six months after his succession, Humayun besieged the fortress of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand, gained a decisive victory over Afghans at Douhrua and drove out Sultan Mahmood Lodhi from Jaunpur, and even defeated Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. His victories, however, were short-lived due to the weakness of his character.

Humayun had three brothers, Kamran, Askari and Hindal.

Humayun divided the empire among his brothers but this proved to be a great blunder on his part.

Kamran was given Kabul and Kandahar. Sambhal and Alwar were given to Askari and Hindal respectively. Humayun captured Gujarat from Bahadur Shah and appointed Askari as its governor

But soon Bahadur Shah recovered Gujarat from Askari who fled from there.

In the east, Sher Khan became powerful. Humayun marched against him and in the Battle of Chausa, held in 1539, Sher Khan destroyed the Mughal army and Humayun escaped from there.

In 1540, in the Battle of Bilgram or Ganges also known as Battle of Kanauj, Humayun was forced to fight with Sher Khan alone and after losing his kingdom, Humayun became an exile for the next fifteen years.

In 1952, during his wanderings in deserts of Sindh, Humayun married Hamida Banu Begum, daughter of Sheikh Ali Amber Jaini, who had been a preceptor of Humayun’s brother Hindal.

On November 23, 1542, Humayun’s wife gave birth to Akbar.

However, Humayun could not conquer Bhakker or secure, thus, he left India and lived under the generosity of Shah Tahmashp of Persia.

Shah of Persia agreed to help Humayun and lend him a force of 14,000 men on a condition to confirm to Shia creed, to have the Shah’s name proclaimed in his Khutba and to give away Kandhar to him on his success.

In 1545, with Persian help, Humayun captured Kandhar and Kabul but refused to cede Kandhar to Persia.

Humayun sought help from the Safavid ruler. Later, he defeated his brothers Kamran and Askari.

In 1555, Humayun defeated the Afghans and recovered the Mughal throne.

After six months, he died in 1556 due to his fall from the staircase of his library.

His body was laid to rest in Purana Quila initially, but, because of an attack by Hemu on Delhi and the capture of Purana Qila, Humayun's body was exhumed by the fleeing army and transferred to Kalanaur in Punjab where Akbar was crowned.

After young Mughal emperor Akbar defeated and killed Hemu in the Second Battle of Panipat. Humayun's body was buried in Humayun's Tomb in Delhi.

Humayun’s tomb was built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.

It is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’ as in the cells are buried over 150 Mughal family members.