Module 1: Origins, Early Life of Farid Khan & The Nuhani State

📖 Chapter 6 of 6 🧩 Module 1 of 8 ⏱️ ~3 min read 💡 10 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 1.1: Ancestry, Education at Jaunpur & Patronage under Bahar Khan Nuhani

The renaissance of Afghan political dominance in 16th-century India originated in the rugged terrain of southwestern Bihar:

Origins & Birth: Farid Khan (later Emperor Sher Shah Suri) was born around 1472 CE (or 1486 CE according to some scholars) at Sasaram. His grandfather Ibrahim Sur and father Hasan Khan Sur migrated from the Roh region of Afghanistan. Hasan Khan held the jagir of Sasaram, Khawaspur, and Tanda under the patronage of Jamal Khan Sarang Khani of Jaunpur.
Education at Jaunpur: Estranged from his father due to stepmotherly intrigues, young Farid moved to Jaunpur (then celebrated as the Shiraz-i-Hind), where he mastered Persian literature, Islamic jurisprudence, Saadi's Gulistan and Bustan, and administrative treatises. Impressed by his scholarly caliber, Hasan Khan entrusted him with the direct management of his Sasaram jagir (1497–1518 CE).
Rise of Nuhani Dominance: In the early 16th century, the Nuhani (Lohani) clan played the decisive role in the early resurgence of Afghan power in Bihar. Sultan Sikandar Lodi had appointed Dariya Khan Nuhani as governor of Bihar in 1495–96 CE. Upon Dariya Khan's demise, his son Bahar Khan Nuhani established an independent kingdom in Bihar, declaring himself sovereign under the royal style of Sultan Muhammad Shah.
The Title of "Sher Khan": Farid entered the service of Bahar Khan Nuhani. While accompanying Bahar Khan on a hunt, Farid killed a ferocious tiger single-handedly with a single sword stroke. Delighted by his valor, Bahar Khan conferred upon him the historic title of "Sher Khan".
Guardian (Ataliq) of Jalal Khan: Sultan Muhammad Shah appointed Sher Khan as the tutor and guardian (Ataliq) of his minor prince, Jalal Khan. When Babur defeated the Afghans, Babur temporarily installed Jalal Khan as administrator under imperial suzerainty upon displacing Mahmud Lodi. Following Bahar Khan's death, his widow Dudu Begum appointed Sher Khan as deputy governor, and Sher Khan later married her, becoming the de facto master of Bihar.

Figure: Ancestry, Education at Jaunpur & Patronage under Bahar Khan Nuhani

⭐ Key Points

Sher Shah Suri founded the Sur Dynasty; his original name was Farid Khan.
His father Hasan Khan was the jagirdar of Sasaram.
Bahar Khan Nuhani (Muhammad Shah) conferred the title 'Sher Khan' upon Farid for killing a tiger.
Sher Khan was appointed guardian (Ataliq) of the young prince Jalal Khan.
The Nuhani clan had a decisive role in the early rise of Afghan power in Bihar.
Sikandar Lodi appointed Dariya Khan Nuhani as governor of Bihar in 1495–96 CE.
Bahar Khan Nuhani (Muhammad Shah) was the founder of the independent Nuhani state in Bihar.

📌 One-line Q&A

Question: What was the original childhood name of Sher Shah Suri? Answer: Farid Khan.
Question: Where was Sher Shah's father Hasan Khan a jagirdar? Answer: Sasaram.
Question: Who gave Farid the title of 'Sher Khan'? Answer: Bahar Khan Nuhani (Muhammad Shah).
Question: Of which young Bihar ruler was Sher Khan appointed the guardian? Answer: Jalal Khan.
Question: Who was the founder of the Nuhani state in Bihar? Answer: Muhammad Shah Nuhani.

Topic

Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Who founded the Sur Dynasty in India?

Sher Shah Suri (original name Farid Khan) established the Sur Dynasty and the Second Afghan Empire.

Question 2: Who conferred the title 'Sher Khan' upon Farid?

Bahar Khan Nuhani (Sultan Muhammad) awarded him the title 'Sher Khan' after he killed a tiger unassisted.

Question 3: Sher Khan's father Hasan Khan was the jagirdar of:

Hasan Khan held the jagir of Sasaram and Khawaspur in southwestern Bihar.

Question 4: Of which young ruler of Bihar was Sher Khan appointed the guardian (Ataliq)?

Sultan Muhammad Shah Nuhani appointed Sher Khan as tutor and guardian to his son Jalal Khan.

Question 5: Which Afghan clan played a decisive role in the early rise of Afghan power in Bihar?

The Nuhani (Lohani) tribe laid the groundwork for independent Afghan administration in Bihar.

Question 6: Whom did Sultan Sikandar Lodi appoint as in-charge of Bihar in 1495–96 CE?

Sikandar Lodi drove out the Sharqis and appointed Dariya Khan Nuhani as governor of Bihar.

Question 7: Who was the founder of the independent Nuhani kingdom in Bihar?

Bahar Khan declared independence under the style Muhammad Shah Nuhani upon his father's death.

Question 8: During the reign of which Delhi monarch did the rise of the Nuhani dynasty occur in Bihar?

The Nuhanis rose to prominent provincial authority during the reign of Sultan Sikandar Lodi.

Question 9: Whom did Emperor Babur appoint as the administrator of Bihar after displacing Mahmud Lodi?

Babur accepted Jalal Khan (son of Bahar Khan) as administrator with Sher Khan as his regent.

Question 10: In which city did young Farid receive his higher education in Persian and administrative statecraft?

Farid studied at Jaunpur, which was known as the cultural 'Shiraz of India'.

Question 1 of 10

One-liners

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

What was the original childhood name of Sher Shah Suri?

Farid Khan.

Where was Sher Shah's father Hasan Khan a jagirdar?

Sasaram.

Who gave Farid the title of 'Sher Khan'?

Bahar Khan Nuhani (Muhammad Shah).

Of which young Bihar ruler was Sher Khan appointed the guardian?

Jalal Khan.

Who was the founder of the Nuhani state in Bihar?

Muhammad Shah Nuhani.

Question 1 of 5