Muhammad Adil Shah (died 1557)

Muhammad Adil Shah (Muhammad Mubariz Khan; died 1557) was Sultan of Hindustan from December 1554 until his defeat in January 1555.[1] He was the last Suri ruler of the united empire, after which the empire fell into civil war.

Muhammad Adil Shah
Copper Dam of Muhammad Adil Shah
Sultan of Hindustan
Reign25 November 1554 – January 1555
PredecessorFiruz Shah Suri
SuccessorIbrahim Shah Suri
Died1557
HouseSur dynasty
DynastySur dynasty
ReligionSunni Islam

Early life

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He was the son of Nizam Khan, the younger brother of the Sultan Sher Shah Suri. Adil's sister, Bibi Bai, was married to Islam Shah Suri. His real name was Muhammad Mubariz Khan. He was responsible for the assassination of Firuz Shah Suri, the twelve-year-old son of Islam Shah Suri, in 1554. Then he ascended the throne as the last sultan of the united empire. He appointed Hemu as his Wazir.

History

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In 1555, Adil's brother in law, Ibrahim Shah Suri of Agra, revolted. Adil Shah's army was defeated and he lost the throne of Delhi. Soon, the empire founded by Sher Shah was divided into four parts. As Delhi and Agra came under the rule of Ibrahim Shah Suri, only the territories from the vicinity of Agra to Bihar remained under Adil. Shamsuddin Muhammad Shah already declared independence of Bengal in 1554. But hostility did not end with the division of empire.

Ibrahim Shah Suri was then defeated by Sikandar Shah Suri at Farah, 32 km from Agra, and thus lost the possession of Delhi and Agra. Then Ibrahim renewed his strife with Adil, but he was defeated by Hemu twice, once near Kalpi and again near Khanua. He took refuge in the Bayana fort, which was besieged by Hemu.

Muhammad Shah of Bengal approached near Kalpi, Adil had to recall Hemu to Kalpi. Muhammad Shah was defeated and killed at Chhapparghatta near Kalpi. Adil captured Bengal and appointed Shahbaz Khan as the Governor. He made Chunar his capital.

In 1557, Adil was defeated and killed in a battle with the Bengal Sultan Khizr Khan Suri, the son of Muhammad Shah.[1]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Majumdar, R.C. (ed.) (2007). The Mughul Empire, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-407-1, pp.94–6
Preceded by Shah of Delhi
1554–1555
Succeeded by