Battle of Kannauj

The Battle of Kannauj, also known as the Battle of Ganges, was fought in 1540 CE between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri (then known as Sher Khan). It was one of the decisive battles of 16th-century North India, resulting in a major defeat for the Mughals and marking the end of Humayun’s rule for a period of fifteen years. The battle led to the establishment of the Sur Empire, which temporarily displaced the Mughal dynasty from power.

Background

After the death of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, in 1530 CE, his son Humayun ascended the throne. However, Humayun inherited an empire that was still politically unstable and geographically fragmented. His control was largely confined to northern India, with several Afghan chieftains and Rajput rulers continuing to resist Mughal authority.
Among these challengers, Sher Khan (later Sher Shah Suri), an ambitious Afghan leader of the Sur tribe, had been consolidating power in the eastern regions, particularly Bihar and Bengal. Initially serving under Afghan nobles, Sher Khan displayed remarkable administrative skill and military acumen, eventually overthrowing his rivals and asserting control over large territories in eastern India.
Humayun recognised Sher Khan’s growing strength and launched several campaigns to subdue him, leading to a series of confrontations that culminated in the decisive Battle of Kannauj.

Prelude to the Battle

The first major clash between Humayun and Sher Khan occurred in 1539 CE at the Battle of Chausa, near Buxar on the banks of the Ganges. Humayun suffered a disastrous defeat there, barely escaping with his life by swimming across the river. Sher Khan, after this victory, assumed the royal title of Sher Shah and proclaimed himself an independent ruler.
Following his defeat at Chausa, Humayun regrouped his forces and sought to reassert Mughal authority. Confident of his numerical superiority and seeking revenge, he advanced towards Sher Shah’s strongholds in the Gangetic plains. The two armies met near Kannauj (also known as Bilgram) in modern-day Uttar Pradesh in May 1540 CE.

The Battle

The Battle of Kannauj was characterised by strategic brilliance on Sher Shah’s part and poor coordination among the Mughal forces.
Forces and Leadership:

• Mughal Army: Led by Humayun, it was large but disorganised and included several regional commanders whose loyalty was uncertain.
• Afghan Army: Commanded by Sher Shah Suri, it was smaller in size but well-disciplined, strategically positioned, and led by experienced generals.

Course of the Battle:

• Sher Shah took up a defensive position on the banks of the Ganges, fortifying his camp and blocking the Mughal advance.
• He employed guerrilla tactics, using mobile cavalry units and light artillery to harass Mughal positions.
• The Mughals, attempting a direct assault, suffered from confusion and miscommunication. Their artillery, a key strength under Babur, was poorly deployed.
• As the battle intensified, many Mughal soldiers deserted, and the army collapsed under the pressure of Sher Shah’s coordinated counterattacks.

Within hours, the Mughal army disintegrated. Humayun, realising defeat was inevitable, fled the battlefield and retreated towards the Punjab region.

Results and Consequences

The Battle of Kannauj ended in a decisive victory for Sher Shah Suri, marking the complete expulsion of Humayun from India.
Immediate Consequences:

• Humayun’s Exile: After the defeat, Humayun fled first to Lahore, then to Sindh, and finally sought refuge at the court of the Persian ruler Shah Tahmasp I of the Safavid Empire. He remained in exile for nearly fifteen years.
• Establishment of the Sur Empire: Sher Shah Suri became the undisputed ruler of northern India. He established the Sur Empire (1540–1555 CE), with its capital at Delhi, and introduced a series of administrative, economic, and military reforms that later influenced Mughal governance.
• Decline of Mughal Power: The Mughals lost control of almost all their Indian territories, retaining only a few outposts near the north-west frontier.

Long-term Consequences:

• Sher Shah’s efficient administration, standardisation of currency (the Rupiya), and development of infrastructure such as the Grand Trunk Road set lasting precedents for governance in India.
• The defeat served as a crucial lesson for Humayun, who later reorganised his army and reclaimed the throne in 1555 CE, shortly after Sher Shah’s death.
• The battle also highlighted the transition from the early Mughal phase of consolidation to a more sophisticated and centralised state system under the later Mughals.

Strategic Analysis

From a military perspective, the Battle of Kannauj demonstrated the importance of leadership, discipline, and tactical innovation:

• Sher Shah’s use of mobility, terrain, and logistics proved superior to the Mughals’ reliance on numerical strength.
• The Mughal army’s lack of unity and dependence on aristocratic contingents weakened its coherence in battle.
• Sher Shah’s army, composed of loyal Afghan soldiers and reinforced by local support, exhibited greater coordination and morale.

The victory established Sher Shah as one of the most capable rulers and strategists in Indian history, earning him recognition for combining military skill with administrative foresight.