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

Module 5: Kalinjar (1545), Tomb Architecture & The Later Suris

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

Concept

Subtopic 5.1: The Fall at Kalinjar, Tomb of Sher Shah & The Last Afghan Ruler Daud Khan Karrani

The tragic end of Sher Shah and the architectural legacy of the Sur dynasty in Bihar:

  • The Siege of Kalinjar & Death (May 1545 CE):
    • In 1545 CE, Sher Shah besieged the Bundela fortress of Kalinjar ruled by Raja Kirat Singh.
    • While firing a rock-shattering fiery rocket/missile named "Ukka" (उक्का नामक आग्नेयास्त्र), a projectile rebounded off the stone battlements, ignited an open ammunition stockpile, and gravely burned the Emperor.
    • Sher Shah lived long enough to hear that Kalinjar had been stormed, dying on May 22, 1545.
  • The Magnificent Tomb of Sher Shah at Sasaram:
    • Regarded as the apex of Afghan/Indo-Islamic architectural ingenuity, designed by master architect Mir Muhammad Aliwal Khan.
    • Architectural Peculiarities: The grand mausoleum is built of red sandstone in an octagonal shape, standing on a large stepped square stone plinth in the middle of a picturesque artificial lake, capped by an imposing 13-meter span dome.
    • British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham described it as "superior in exterior grandeur and dignified solemnity to the Taj Mahal".
  • Other Notable Suri Tombs at Sasaram:
    • Tomb of Hasan Khan Sur: Situated in Sasaram, known as the Sukha Maqbara (dry tomb) because it is surrounded by a stone wall rather than a water tank.
    • Tomb of Islam Shah: The tomb of his son and successor, Islam Shah (Jalal Khan), is the final octagonal tomb in the series of medieval octagonal mausoleums.
    • Hence, Sahasram (Sasaram) is famous for the tombs of Sher Shah Suri, Hasan Khan Sur, and Islam Shah (All of the above).
  • Sufi Contemporary: The celebrated Sufi saint Sheikh Badan was a revered contemporary of both Sher Shah and Islam Shah (III and IV).
  • The Final Afghan Monarch of Bihar: After the decline of the Suri dynasty, the Karrani Afghans held power in Bihar and Bengal. Daud Khan Karrani (दाऊद खां करारानी) was the final independent Afghan Sultan of Bihar, who was defeated and slain at the Battle of Rajmahal in 1576 CE by Emperor Akbar's forces.
⭐ Key Points
  • Sher Shah died in May 1545 CE at the siege of Kalinjar due to an accident while firing the weapon 'Ukka'.
  • Sher Shah's tomb is built in Sasaram in an artificial lake, designed by Aliwal Khan.
  • His tomb features: octagonal shape in lake, square plinth with steps on all sides, grand dome (All of above).
  • Sasaram is famous for the tombs of Sher Shah, Hasan Khan Sur, and Islam Shah (All of above).
  • Hasan Khan Sur's tomb is celebrated as the 'Sukha Maqbara'.
  • The last tomb in the series of octagonal tombs is Islam Shah's tomb.
  • Sufi saint Sheikh Badan was a contemporary of Sher Shah and Islam Shah.
  • Daud Khan Karrani was the last independent Afghan Sultan of Bihar.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: When did Sher Shah die? Answer: 1545 CE.
  • Question: What was the cause of Sher Shah's death? Answer: Explosion while firing the projectile weapon 'Ukka'.
  • Question: Where is Sher Shah's mausoleum situated? Answer: Sasaram.
  • Question: Which is the final tomb in the series of octagonal mausoleums? Answer: Islam Shah's tomb.
  • Question: Who was the last Afghan Sultan of Bihar? Answer: Daud Khan Karrani.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: In which year did Sher Shah Suri pass away?

Sher Shah died in May 1545 CE during the siege of Kalinjar fortress.

Question 2: What was the cause of Sher Shah's death during the siege of Kalinjar?

While firing the projectile weapon Ukka at Kalinjar, an accidental explosion severely burned Sher Shah.

Question 3: Where is the world-famous tomb of Sher Shah Suri situated?

Sher Shah's mausoleum stands in the center of an artificial lake in Sasaram, Rohtas district.

Question 4: Which of the following is correct regarding the tomb of Sher Shah Suri?

All three architectural features characterize Sher Shah's mausoleum at Sasaram.

Question 5: Sahasram (Sasaram) is famous for the tombs of which of the following rulers?

Sasaram houses the tombs of Sher Shah, his father Hasan Khan, and his successor Islam Shah.

Question 6: Which is the final tomb in the historical architectural series of octagonal mausoleums?

The unfinished tomb of Islam Shah at Sasaram was the last in the evolution of octagonal tombs.

Question 7: The tomb of Sher Shah's father Hasan Sur, popularly celebrated as 'Sukha Maqbara' (Dry Tomb), is built at:

Hasan Sur's tomb is known as the Sukha Maqbara (waterless dry tomb).

Question 8: The celebrated Sufi saint Sheikh Badan was contemporary to which Afghan ruler(s)?

Sheikh Badan flourished during the reigns of Sher Shah (III) and his son Islam Shah (IV).

Question 9: Who was the final independent Afghan Sultan of Bihar?

Daud Khan Karrani was the last Afghan sovereign of Bihar, defeated by Akbar in 1576 CE.

Question 10: During the medieval period, the city of Bihar Sharif was significant as: 1. A trading center 2. A center of learning 3. An administrative center 4. A religious center. (Choose correct code)

Bihar Sharif was celebrated as a premier center of learning (2), an administrative headquarters (3), and a religious Sufi hub (4).
Question 1 of 10

One-liners

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

When did Sher Shah die?

1545 CE.

What was the cause of Sher Shah's death?

Explosion while firing the projectile weapon 'Ukka'.

Where is Sher Shah's mausoleum situated?

Sasaram.

Which is the final tomb in the series of octagonal mausoleums?

Islam Shah's tomb.

Who was the last Afghan Sultan of Bihar?

Daud Khan Karrani.
Question 1 of 5