Humayun suffered a major defeat against Sher Shah Suri at Chausa, weakening Mughal control in north India and setting the stage for Humayun’s loss of the throne and subsequent exile.
Humayun’s army was defeated by Sher Shah Suri at Kannauj (also known as Bilgram). The loss decisively broke Mughal power in Hindustan and forced Humayun into flight and long exile.
After Kannauj, Humayun withdrew from Agra, passed through Delhi, and fell back to Lahore while Sher Shah consolidated the Sur regime centered on Delhi, leaving Humayun without a secure base in India.
While moving through Sindh during his displacement, Humayun married Hamida Banu Begum, a union that became politically useful in building support networks during exile.
Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum received refuge at Umerkot (Umarkot/Amarkot). There, their son Akbar—future restorer and consolidator of Mughal power—was born amid the family’s continued insecurity.
Humayun turned to Safavid Iran for assistance, seeking protection and military aid from Shah Tahmasp I—an alliance that would later enable his return to Afghanistan and, eventually, India.
With Safavid support and Persian troops, Humayun moved against Kandahar, initiating a campaign to recover strategic frontier strongholds as a precondition for any later reconquest of India.
Kandahar was handed over in accordance with Humayun’s arrangement with Shah Tahmasp (in exchange for assistance). The handover reflected the high political cost of Safavid backing.
Soon after the agreed transfer, Humayun launched a surprise move to take Kandahar back from the Persian garrison, signaling tensions within the alliance and Humayun’s need for an independent base.
Humayun entered Kabul without resistance and met Akbar after a long separation, restoring a vital Timurid center and strengthening his position for renewed campaigns.
Humayun’s forces defeated Sikandar Shah Suri at Sirhind, a decisive battle that broke major Sur resistance in the Punjab and made the Mughal restoration in North India possible.
Following Sirhind, Humayun returned to Delhi and again occupied the Mughal throne, marking the formal restoration of the Mughal Empire in Hindustan after 15 years of displacement.
Humayun fell on the stairway of the Sher Mandal (associated with his library) after hearing the call to prayer; he died shortly afterward, abruptly ending the restored reign and triggering a sensitive succession.
Humayun's exile and restoration (1540–1556)
