Reference
Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals (2 vols)
The detailed two-volume treatment for readers who want more than the single-volume textbook.
Sur Empire
1540 – 1556
Map layer: Empires & Regional Powers
Sher Shah Suri displaces Humayun and reforms administration and revenue.
Main polities of this period
| Name | Type | Span | Region | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sur Empire ★ | Empire | 1540 – 1556 | North | Delhi / Sasaram |
Also existing during this period
Malwa Sultanate
Central · 1392 – 1562
Portuguese Cochin
Coastal · 1503 – 1663
Portuguese Estado da Índia
Coastal · 1505 – 1961
Portuguese Bassein & Bombay
Coastal · 1534 – 1739
Portuguese Diu
Coastal · 1535 – 1961
Ahmadnagar Sultanate (Nizam Shahi)
Deccan · 1490 – 1636
Bijapur Sultanate (Adil Shahi)
Deccan · 1490 – 1686
Berar Sultanate (Imad Shahi)
Deccan · 1490 – 1574
Bidar Sultanate (Barid Shahi)
Deccan · 1492 – 1619
Golconda Sultanate (Qutb Shahi)
Deccan · 1518 – 1687
Bengal Sultanate
East · 1352 – 1576
Gajapati Kingdom
East · 1434 – 1541
Malla Dynasty of Nepal
Himalaya · 1201 – 1769
Sultanate of the Maldives
Islands · c. 1153 – 1968
Kashmir Sultanate
North · 1339 – 1586
Mughal Empire
North · 1526 – 1857
Ahom Kingdom
Northeast · 1228 – 1826
Koch Kingdom (Kamata / Cooch Behar)
Northeast · 1515 – 1949
Zamorins of Calicut
South · c. 1124 – 1766
Vijayanagara Empire
South · 1336 – 1646
Kingdom of Mysore
South · 1399 – 1950
Madurai Nayaks
South · 1529 – 1736
Jaffna Kingdom
Sri Lanka · c. 1215 – 1619
Kingdom of Kotte
Sri Lanka · 1412 – 1597
Kingdom of Kandy
Sri Lanka · c. 1469 – 1815
Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur)
West · c. 1128 – 1949
Marwar (Rathore)
West · c. 1226 – 1949
Mewar (Sisodia)
West · 1326 – 1949
Gujarat Sultanate
West · 1407 – 1573
Events
| Year | Event | Polity |
|---|---|---|
| 1540 | Battle of Kannauj Humayun fled into exile and Sher Shah founded the Sur Empire. |
Sur Empire |
| 1541 | Rohtas Fort begun by Sher Shah | Sur Empire |
| 1545 | Death of Sher Shah at Kalinjar | Sur Empire |
| 1555 | Humayun recovers Delhi (Battle of Sirhind) Humayun regained his throne from the Surs. |
Mughal Empire |
| 1556 | Second Battle of Panipat Hemu was captured and killed, securing Akbar's throne. |
Mughal Empire |
📚 Recommended reading for this era
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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
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Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
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An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
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