Why Sher Shah Suri is Called the Forerunner of Akbar

Sher Shah Suri, one of India’s most significant rulers, is often hailed as the “forerunner of Akbar.” This title is not merely honorary but a reflection of his far-reaching reforms, administrative prowess, and vision for a unified empire. Though his reign was short, Sher Shah’s legacy influenced the policies and governance of the Mughal Empire, especially during the reign of Akbar the Great. In this blog post, we will delve into why Sher Shah Suri is regarded as the forerunner of Akbar, exploring his reforms and their lasting impact on India’s governance.

Who Was Sher Shah Suri?

Sher Shah Suri, born Farid Khan in 1486, was the founder of the Suri Dynasty in India. His rise to power was a testament to his military brilliance, strategic vision, and administrative acumen. After defeating the Mughal emperor Humayun in the Battle of Chausa in 1539, Sher Shah became the ruler of northern India and established his dynasty. Though his rule lasted only five years (1540-1545), Sher Shah’s contributions were so significant that many historians consider him a precursor to the great Mughal emperor Akbar.

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Why Sher Shah Suri Is Called the Forerunner of Akbar

Sher Shah Suri is often credited with laying the foundation for administrative and revenue systems that Akbar later perfected. Let’s explore the key reasons why he is considered the forerunner of Akbar.

1. Administrative Reforms

Sher Shah Suri’s administrative reforms were revolutionary for their time, and Akbar adopted and expanded upon many of them during his reign. Sher Shah divided his empire into provinces, districts, and villages, ensuring that governance was efficient and streamlined. This system of administration allowed for better control over the vast territories he ruled, a practice that Akbar later refined.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: He introduced a hierarchical administrative system where responsibilities were clearly defined at every level, ensuring accountability and transparency. His system of provinces (Sarkars) and districts (Parganas) was a precursor to Akbar’s Subahs (provinces) and Sarkars (districts).
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar improved upon this system by introducing the Mansabdari system, a ranking system for civil and military officials, ensuring that governance and military were intertwined, making his empire more stable.

2. Revenue System

One of Sher Shah Suri’s most significant contributions was the establishment of a sound revenue system. His revenue policies were designed to ensure that farmers were not overburdened by taxes, and the state could collect revenues efficiently.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: He conducted a detailed survey of agricultural land, dividing it into fertile, less fertile, and barren land categories. Based on this survey, he introduced a fixed revenue rate, which was fair and based on the productivity of the land. The tax was collected in cash, which was a novel concept at the time and prevented exploitation by middlemen.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar, under the guidance of his finance minister Todar Mal, adopted and further refined this system. Todar Mal introduced the Dahsala system, which assessed land revenue based on the average produce of the last ten years. This ensured fairness and efficiency, providing stability to Akbar’s empire.

3. Military Reforms

Sher Shah Suri’s military reforms also laid the groundwork for Akbar’s later successes. His military organization was not just about raising large armies but ensuring discipline, organization, and efficiency.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: He maintained a standing army, ensuring that soldiers were paid directly from the state treasury rather than relying on local lords or feudal forces. He introduced a system of branding horses to prevent fraud in the recruitment of cavalry, and he established military checkposts along key routes to maintain security.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar took this a step further with his Mansabdari system, ensuring that each mansabdar was responsible for maintaining a specified number of cavalry and infantry. The branding of horses, initiated by Sher Shah, was continued under Akbar, ensuring that the military was well-regulated and disciplined.

4. Judicial Reforms

Sher Shah Suri introduced a fair judicial system, which aimed to provide swift and impartial justice. He ensured that justice was accessible to all, irrespective of their social status, a practice that Akbar later institutionalized.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: Sher Shah was a strict administrator who believed in the rule of law. He set up courts at the provincial and district levels, with judges appointed to ensure the enforcement of justice. His personal involvement in resolving disputes earned him a reputation for fairness.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar’s legal system was much more organized, with appointed Qazis (judges) who dispensed justice. He also promoted the idea of universal tolerance (Sulh-i-Kul), which allowed people of different faiths to live together peacefully, reinforcing a sense of fairness and justice in his empire.

5. Roads and Infrastructure

Sher Shah Suri was known for his emphasis on building roads and improving infrastructure. His most famous achievement was the construction of the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), which connected India’s northern and eastern regions.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: The GT Road, which extended from Bengal to modern-day Afghanistan, was one of the most important trade routes in the subcontinent. Sher Shah also built rest houses (sarais) at regular intervals along the road, ensuring safe travel and trade. His road network facilitated commerce, communication, and the movement of armies.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar recognized the importance of roads and further developed the infrastructure, extending the GT Road and other key trade routes. He built more rest houses and ensured that his empire was well-connected, promoting both internal and external trade.

6. Religious Tolerance

Sher Shah Suri, though a devout Muslim, was known for his religious tolerance. He allowed people of all faiths to practice their religion freely, a principle that Akbar would later adopt and expand upon.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: Sher Shah’s policies reflected a sense of justice and fairness toward non-Muslims, especially Hindus. He imposed a lighter version of the jizya (tax on non-Muslims) and ensured that Hindu temples were not desecrated.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar took Sher Shah’s policies of religious tolerance to a new level. He abolished the jizya, promoted interfaith dialogue, and even initiated his own syncretic faith, Din-i-Ilahi, which aimed to reconcile the teachings of various religions. Akbar’s policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) was a direct continuation of the inclusive governance model initiated by Sher Shah.

7. Coinage and Currency Reforms

Sher Shah Suri introduced a standard coinage system that had a long-lasting impact on Indian currency, a model that was later followed by Akbar.

• Sher Shah’s Contribution: Sher Shah introduced a silver coin, known as the Rupiya, which was a standard currency across his empire. This uniformity in currency stabilized the economy and promoted trade.
• Akbar’s Expansion: Akbar retained Sher Shah’s currency system and expanded it, introducing gold, silver, and copper coins. The Mughal currency system remained stable throughout Akbar’s reign, providing a strong economic foundation for his empire.

Sher Shah Suri’s Lasting Influence on Akbar

Sher Shah Suri’s short but impactful reign laid the groundwork for many of the policies that Akbar would later perfect. From administrative efficiency to military organization, from revenue collection to judicial reforms, Sher Shah’s vision provided the blueprint for a centralized and efficient empire. Akbar’s genius lay in recognizing the value of these reforms and expanding upon them to create one of the most stable and prosperous empires in Indian history.

The title “forerunner of Akbar” is not just a reflection of Sher Shah Suri’s achievements but a testament to his visionary governance that transcended his own time. His ability to anticipate the needs of a large and diverse empire, his fairness in administration, and his focus on infrastructure, justice, and religious tolerance were all elements that Akbar would later enhance and implement in his own reign.

Sher Shah Suri’s legacy continues to be remembered not just as a conqueror but as a statesman whose policies shaped the future of India for centuries to come.