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⚔️ Medieval History Chapter 5: Afghan Rule & The Suri Empire (बिहार में अफगान राज्य एवं शेरशाह सूरी)

Module 2: Acquisition of Chunar, Battle of Surajgarh (1534) & Supremacy

📖 Chapter 5 of 6 🧩 Module 2 of 6 ⏱️ ~3 min read 💡 10 MCQs
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.1: Marriage with Lad Malika, Siege of Chunar & The Triumph at Surajgarh

Through marriage diplomacy and military strategy, Sher Khan transformed from a local jagirdar into the master of Bihar:

  • Acquisition of Chunar Fortress (1530 CE): The impregnable rock-fort of Chunar was known as the gateway to eastern India. In 1530 CE, following the assassination of Taj Khan Sarang Khani (the governor of Chunar), Sher Khan married his wealthy widow, Lad Malika, securing the fort and treasury without bloodshed.
  • Humayun's First Siege of Chunar (1531–1532 CE): Alarmed by Sher Khan's growing power, Mughal Emperor Humayun marched east and laid siege to Chunar Fort for the first time in 1531/1532 CE. Sher Khan submitted tactically and sent his son Qutb Khan with a troop of Afghan horsemen to Humayun's court, preserving his fortress and military strength intact.
  • The Battle of Surajgarh (1534 CE):
    • Uneasy with Sher Khan's ascendance, the Nuhani amirs allied with Sultan Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah of Bengal, who dispatched an army led by general Ibrahim Khan.
    • In 1534 CE, at Surajgarh (near Kiul/Lakhisarai), Sher Khan executed a deceptive tactical retreat, luring the Bengal artillery into an ambush and annihilating them.
    • Decisive Turning Point: The victory at Surajgarh established Sher Khan's undisputed political supremacy across Bihar, turning him into a primary imperial contender.
  • Conquest of Bengal & The Title of "Hazrat-i-Ala": Following Surajgarh, Sher Khan repeatedly raided Gaur (Bengal), extracted massive indemnity payments, and assumed the title of Hazrat-i-Ala.
  • Rohtasgarh Fort Construction: Recognizing the need for an impregnable sanctuary for Afghan families, Sher Khan seized the ancient hill-fortress of Rohtasgarh in 1538 CE and reinforced its fortifications.
⭐ Key Points
  • Sher Khan acquired Chunar Fort in 1530 CE by marrying Lad Malika.
  • Humayun attacked Chunar Fort for the first time in 1531/1532 CE.
  • Sher Shah's political supremacy in Bihar was established by his victory in the Battle of Surajgarh (1534 CE).
  • He defeated the Bengal Sultan Mahmud Shah at Surajgarh.
  • Sher Shah built and fortified the historic Rohtas Fort.
  • The inconsistent regnal name among his titles is 'Sher Shah Azam' (his valid names were Farid Khan, Sher Khan, and Sher Shah Suri).
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: When did Humayun attack the fort of Chunar for the first time? Answer: 1531/1532 CE.
  • Question: In which battle did Sher Shah establish his complete political supremacy over Bihar? Answer: Battle of Surajgarh (1534 CE).
  • Question: Which fort in Bihar was constructed/fortified by Sher Shah? Answer: Fort of Rohtas.
  • Question: Whom did Sher Khan marry in 1530 CE to gain Chunar Fort? Answer: Lad Malika.
  • Question: Which name is inconsistent among Sher Shah Suri's titles? Answer: Sher Shah Azam.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: In which battle did Sher Shah establish his political supremacy over Bihar?

The victory at the Battle of Surajgarh in 1534 CE against Bengal made Sher Khan the undisputed master of Bihar.

Question 2: When did Emperor Humayun attack the fort of Chunar for the first time? (BPSC Pre 2008)

Humayun first besieged Chunar in 1531 CE (ending with treaty in 1532 CE).

Question 3: Sher Shah constructed which of the following famous forts in Bihar?

Sher Shah built and strengthened the historic Rohtas Fort (Rohtasgarh) in Bihar.

Question 4: Which name is inconsistent among the renowned historical titles of Sher Shah Suri?

Sher Shah Azam is not a historical title of Sher Shah (he was called Farid Khan, Sher Khan, and Sher Shah Suri).

Question 5: In 1530 CE, Sher Khan acquired the strategic fortress of Chunar by marrying:

Sher Khan acquired Chunar by marrying Lad Malika, widow of Taj Khan Sarang Khani.

Question 6: At the Battle of Surajgarh (1534 CE), which Sultan of Bengal was defeated by Sher Khan?

Sultan Mahmud Shah of Bengal dispatched his army under Ibrahim Khan, which was destroyed at Surajgarh.

Question 7: Modern Surajgarh, the site of Sher Shah's decisive 1534 battle, is located in which district of Bihar?

Surajgarh is located on the southern bank of the Ganges in Lakhisarai district (formerly Munger).

Question 8: In 1529 CE, Sher Khan participated in the Battle of Ghagra on the side of which Afghan prince?

Sher Khan fought on the side of Mahmud Lodi against Babur in the Battle of Ghagra in 1529 CE.

Question 9: Which title was adopted by Sher Khan after defeating the Sultan of Bengal in 1529 CE?

Sher Khan assumed the title of Hazrat-i-Ala after checking the forces of Bengal.

Question 10: Where did Sher Khan send his son Qutb Khan to appease Humayun during the 1531-32 Chunar crisis?

Under the treaty with Humayun, Sher Khan dispatched his son Qutb Khan with a contingent to the Mughal court.
Question 1 of 10

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

When did Humayun attack the fort of Chunar for the first time?

1531/1532 CE.

In which battle did Sher Shah establish his complete political supremacy over Bihar?

Battle of Surajgarh (1534 CE).

Which fort in Bihar was constructed/fortified by Sher Shah?

Fort of Rohtas.

Whom did Sher Khan marry in 1530 CE to gain Chunar Fort?

Lad Malika.

Which name is inconsistent among Sher Shah Suri's titles?

Sher Shah Azam.
Question 1 of 5