Question

Consider the following statements regarding Sher Shah Suri:

1. He occupied Delhi by defeating Mughal emperor Humayun twice, in the battle of Chausa and the battle of Kannauj.

2. He issued a standardized silver coin called ‘Rupiya’.

3. Akbar’s administrative system and taxation was largely based on the system established by Sher Shah.

4. Sher Shah died in a battle near Sasaram fighting against Akbar’s Army.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1 and 2
4. All of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1, 2 and 3

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

• He occupied Delhi by defeating Mughal emperor Humayun twice, in the Battle of Chausa and the Battle of Kannauj. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• When all the tactics to subdue this fort failed then Sher Shah ordered walls to the fort to be blown up with gunpowder, but he himself was seriously wounded as a result of the explosion of a mine.
• Akbar’s administrative system and taxation was largely based on the system established by Sher Shah. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• He was succeeded by his son, Jalal Khan who took the title of Islam Shah Suri. His mausoleum, the Sher Shah Suri Tomb (122 ft high) stands in the middle of an artificial lake at Sasaram, a town that stands on the Grand Trunk Road.
• He issued a standardized silver coin called ‘Rupiya ’. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  • While the term rūpya had previously been used as a generic term for any silver coin, during his rule the term rūpiya came to be used as the name for a silver coin of a standard weight of 178 grains, which was the precursor of the modern rupee.
• Gold coins called the Mohur weighing 169 grains and copper coins called Dam were also minted by his government.
• In November 1544, Emperor of the Sur Empire of Delhi Sher Shah Suri attacked Kalinjar with a large force and laid a siege.
• The Rajput King ruling at Kalinjar at that time was Kirat Rai, whose daughter Rani Durgavati was married to King Dalpat, the ruler of Garha-Mandala (Gondwana). The Gonds helped Raja Kirat Rai defend the Fort and out of frustration Sher Shah decided to blow the fort walls up using gunpowder.
• Unfortunately, one of the gunpowder rockets launched towards the fort walls boomeranged and hit back Sher Shah himself, burning him fatally.
• Sher Shah died on the same day and was buried in the nearby town of Sasaram. Hence, Statement 4  is not correct.