Humayun

Nasir al-Din Muhammad, known as Humayun, was the second Mughal emperor. He ruled parts of what are now eastern Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Northern India, and Pakistan from 1530 to 1540, and again from 1555 until he passed away in 1556. When Humayun became emperor on December 26, 1530, he was only 22 years old and had little experience governing.

Early in his rule, Humayun faced many challenges. He lost control of his empire to another leader named Sher Shah Suri. For fifteen years, he lived in Persia, far from his home. With help from the Safavid rulers, Humayun returned to power in 1555.

During his time away, Humayun brought many new ideas and traditions from Persia back with him. These influences changed the culture of the Mughal court, introducing new styles of Persian art, architecture, language, and literature. Today, we can still see beautiful stone carvings and many Persian books from Humayun's time in the Indian subcontinent.

When Humayun died in 1556, the Mughal Empire covered a huge area. He left a strong foundation for his son, Akbar, who would go on to make the empire even larger.

Background

Humayun was born as Nasir al-Din Muhammad to Babur’s favourite wife Māham Begum on Tuesday, 6 March 1508. Māham came from a noble family connected to Sultan Husayn Bayqara, a ruler from Herat. She was also related to Sheikh Ahmad-e Jami, a Persian poet and wise teacher.

Babur decided to share his empire’s lands between two of his sons. This was unusual in India but common in Central Asia since the time of Genghis Khan. This meant that any male from the family could claim to rule, which sometimes led to fights among family members after a ruler passed away.

Early reign

When Humayun became the ruler of the Mughal Empire, some of his brothers rebelled against him because he divided the empire among them. One brother, Hindal Mirza, stood by Humayun but was later killed. Humayun started building a tomb for his brother, but he had to leave before it was finished and go to Persia. Later, another leader named Sher Shah Suri destroyed the tomb.

Humayun faced challenges from two powerful neighbors: Sultan Bahadur in Gujarat to the southwest and Sher Shah Suri along the river Ganges in Bihar to the east. His first big battle was against Sher Shah Suri, but he had to stop this fight to deal with a new threat from Ahmed Shah in Gujarat. Humayun was successful in taking over Gujarat, Malwa, Champaner, and the strong fort at Mandu.

During the first five years of his rule, both Bahadur and Sher Shah grew their power, though Bahadur had some trouble with conflicts from the Portuguese in the east.

In 1535, Humayun learned that the Sultan of Gujarat was planning to attack Mughal lands in Bayana with help from the Portuguese. Humayun gathered his army and moved toward Bahadur, capturing the forts of Mandu and Champaner within a month. However, he decided not to continue the attack and instead focused on securing the areas he had just taken. Sultan Bahadur escaped and found safety with the Portuguese. Later, in an uprising, Bahadur Shah took back Gujarat in 1536 and began attacking Malwa.

Strife with Sher Shah Suri

After Humayun moved to Gujarat, Sher Shah Suri wanted to take control of Agra from the Mughals. He gathered his army to attack quickly. Humayun hurried his troops back to Agra, which let Bahadur take back areas Humayun had recently held. In February 1537, Bahadur died during an attempt to capture the Portuguese leader, creating confusion in Gujarat and helping the Mughals grow stronger there.

While Humayun was away, Sher Khan attacked Bengal and surrounded its capital, Gaur. Humayun tried to help but was delayed by capturing Chunar, a fort held by Sher Shah’s son. By the time Humayun arrived, Gaur had fallen and its supplies were gone. Sher Shah took Bengal’s wealth, giving him more resources for war.

Sher Shah moved west, but Humayun stayed in his palace for a long time. Hindal, Humayun’s brother, left his post and returned to Agra, claiming to be the acting emperor. When Humayun sent a leader to speak with him, that leader was killed.

Humayun’s other brother, Kamran Mirza, came to help but planned to take over the empire himself. He made a deal with Hindal to share power if Humayun was removed.

In June 1539, Sher Shah and Humayun fought the Battle of Chausa near Buxar. After a long battle, Sher Shah attacked at night and most of Humayun’s army was killed. Humayun escaped by swimming across the Ganges and returned to Agra with help.

In Agra

When Humayun returned to Agra, he found his brothers there. Humayun forgave them even though they had acted badly. Sher Shah’s army was moving closer, creating a serious danger. Humayun and Kamran disagreed on how to respond. Kamran left after Humayun refused to attack quickly.

Kamran went to Lahore, and Humayun marched to meet Sher Shah near Kannauj with his brothers. Humayun was defeated and retreated to Lahore. Sher Shah’s new Sur Empire, based in Delhi, forced Humayun into exile for 15 years at the court of Shah Tahmasp I.

In Lahore

The four brothers were together in Lahore, but they heard that Sher Shah was coming closer. When he reached Sirhind, Humayun asked Sher Shah to leave Lahore alone. Sher Shah replied that Humayun should go to Kabul. Kamran refused to give up Kabul, even suggesting joining Sher Shah against Humayun, but Sher Shah did not need his help. Humayun was asked to punish Kamran but refused, remembering his father Babur’s words.

Meeting with the Sikh Guru – Guru Angad Sahib

Humayun visited Guru Angad after losing the Battle of Kannauj and his throne. When Humayun arrived, Guru Angad was teaching children and did not greet him right away. The Guru reminded Humayun that when he needed to fight and lost his throne, he had run away. The Guru blessed Humayun and told him he would regain the throne someday.

Withdrawing further

Humayun decided to move farther away. He and his army crossed the Thar Desert. Humayun and his pregnant wife faced very hard times with little food and water. Humayun gave his horse to his wife when hers died and rode a camel for six kilometres. He asked his brothers to join him in Sindh, but only Hindal stayed loyal.

Humayun went to Sindh, hoping for help from the Emir Hussein Umrani. His wife Hamida was from Sindh. On the way, they stopped in Amarkot, where Hamida gave birth to Akbar. Humayun left the baby there because the journey was too hard for an infant. Later, Akbar was raised by Askari Mirza.

In Sindh, Humayun and Hussein Umrani gathered horses, weapons, and new allies. They formed a force and marched toward Kandahar and Kabul. More people joined Humayun as he claimed to be the rightful heir of Babur.

Retreat to Kabul

After finishing a trip in Sindh, Humayun traveled with 300 camels and 2000 loads of grain to join his brothers in Kandahar. He crossed the Indus River on July 11, 1543, hoping to regain control of the Mughal Empire and replace the Suri dynasty. Several tribes, including the Leghari, Magsi, and Rind, had promised to support him.

While Humayun was moving, his brother Askari Mirza was told to gather an army against him. Instead of fighting, Humayun chose to find safety elsewhere. His young brother Akbar was left behind near Kandahar because the winter mountains of the Hindu Kush were too dangerous for a 14-month-old. Askari Mirza took Akbar in, and he was raised by the families of Kamran and Askari Mirza. Later, Humayun went to Kandahar to seek help from his brother Kamran Mirza, but received none, so he turned to the Shah of Persia for refuge.

Refuge in Persia

Humayun went to the Safavid Empire in Persia with 40 men, his wife Bega Begum, and her friend. They traveled through tough mountains and valleys and sometimes ate horse meat cooked in helmets. After a month, they arrived in Herat and were made very welcome. The city gave them good food, clothes, and comfortable homes. The ruler, Tahmasp I, treated Humayun like royalty.

Humayun enjoyed Herat and admired the lovely Persian art and buildings, many made by his relatives. He met artists who impressed him, and he invited them to work for him if he got his kingdom back. Later, Humayun met Tahmasp in Qazvin at a big feast. Tahmasp helped Humayun by giving him soldiers and supplies to fight his brother Kamran, asking only for the city of Kandahar if Humayun was successful.

Kandahar and onward

In March 1545, Humayun came near Kandahar with soldiers from Persia and started surrounding the city. After a few months, the leaders of Kandahar agreed to give up control, but Humayun took the city back for himself. He then moved toward Kabul, where he met his son Akbar after almost two years apart. With control of both Kandahar and Kabul, Humayun was now a strong leader in southern Afghanistan.

Humayun still faced challenges from his brother Kamran, who tried to take control of areas like Badakhshan and Ghazni. There were many battles and struggles, but Humayun worked hard to keep his power. With help from trusted advisors, he prepared to return to rule in India.

Restoration of the Mughal Empire

Humayun worked hard to take back control of the throne in Delhi. He gathered a large army and placed it under the leadership of Bairam Khan, who proved to be a skilled leader. The army moved through the Punjab and faced one major battle against Sikandar Shah Suri in Sirhind. Using a clever strategy, Bairam Khan tricked the enemy, then surprised them with strong defenses. In the Battle of Sirhind on 22 June 1555, Sikandar Shah Suri's forces were defeated, and the Mughal Empire was restored.

After this victory, most towns and villages welcomed Humayun's army as it traveled toward Delhi. On 23 July 1555, Humayun sat again on his father Babur's throne in Delhi. With his brothers no longer a threat, Humayun felt stronger as a leader and began new campaigns to expand his rule.

Family

Consorts

• Bega Begum, daughter of Yadgar Beg;
• Gulbarg Begum, daughter of Nizam-ud-din Ali Barlas, who was a former wife of Mir Shah Hussain Arghun;
• Maywa Jan or Mewa Jan, daughter of Khazang yasawal;
• Hamida Banu Begum (married in 1541), daughter of Sheikh Ali Akbar Jami;
• Mah Chuchak Begum (married in 1546), sister of Bairam Oghlan and Faridun Khan Kabuli;
• Khanish Aghacha, daughter of Jujuq Mirza Khwarizmi;
• Agha Jan;
• Chand Bibi;
• Shad Bibi;
• Gunwar Bibi;

Issue

Character

Edward S. Holden described Humayun as a kind and caring leader who loved his son Akbar and his friends very much. He had difficult times with his brothers. Humayun's good qualities were sometimes hidden by his struggles as a ruler. He ruled after his father Babur and before his son Akbar.

Stanley Lane-Poole noted that Humayun faced many unlucky events during his time as ruler. Despite his forgiving nature, he met an unexpected end when he fell from the steps of his palace. Humayun’s life had many challenges and setbacks.

Death and legacy

Humayun passed away on 27 January 1556 after an accident. He slipped and fell while coming down the stairs from his library, hurting his head. He died a few days later. His body was first placed in Purana Qila, but later moved to Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, a beautiful garden tomb that became a model for other famous buildings.

His stepmother, Gulbadan Begum, wrote a book about his life called the Humayun nameh. This book gives us special insights into Humayun's story and the time he lived in. Historians today see Humayun in a new light, understanding his challenges better and recognizing his importance in connecting different cultures.

In popular culture

Humayun has been shown in many movies and TV shows. In 1945, a film called Humayun featured him played by Ashok Kumar. Later, in 1988-89, he appeared in an Indian series named Akbar the Great, portrayed by Shahid Khan. In 1997, a Pakistani series called Babar showed him played by Babar Ali. In 2017, Ankur Nayyar acted as Humayun in the Indian TV series Akbar Rakht Se Takht Ka Safar. Most recently, in 2021, Aditya Seal played Humayun in the Indian drama The Empire.