Sunday, September 15, 2019
Battle of Chausa
Hamayun's main enemy was Sher Khan. After victory in Bengal, Humayun became relaxed and took rest. On seeing Humayun resting in Bengal, Sher Khan seized Chunar, Benares, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Patna, etc. respectively. These events upset Humayun. Humayun's army was weakened by the malaria outbreak, so Humayun left a small troop of the army and traveled to Agra.
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| Battle of Chausa |
Sher Khan alias Sher Shah decided to surround Humayun on the way after getting the information of Hamayun's return. Humayun made many mistakes in return. First, he divided his army into two parts. A troop of army was sent under Dilawar Khan to attack Munger (Bihar). Humayun himself went ahead with the second troop of the army. Humayun's military advisers had advised him to walk from the northern bank of the Ganges to Jaunpur and cross the Ganges and attack Sher Shah / Sher Khan but he did not listen to them. He crossed the Ganges and went on the South Trunk Road to Grand Trunk. This route was under the control of Sher Khan. On the banks of the Karmanasa River, Uttar Pradesh, he came to know of Sher Shah at a place called Chausa. Therefore, he did not cross and got ready to attack Sher Shah, but here too he took carelessness. He immediately got down to attack Sher Khan, but here too he took carelessness. He did not immediately attack Sher Shah. He wasted time on the banks of the Ganges for three months. Meanwhile, Sher Khan tricked him into peace talks and kept making his preparations. Actually he was waiting for the rain.
Sher Shah's diplomacy
As soon as the rains started, Sher Khan planned an attack. Humayun's camp was at a low point between the Ganges and the Karmnasa river. So the rainy water filled it. The artillery of the Mughals failed and there was chaos in the army. Taking advantage of this, on the night of 25 June 1539, Sher Shah suddenly attacked the Mughal camp with deception. There was a panic in the Mughal camp. The soldiers jumped into the Ganges river to save their lives. Some drowned in them and some were killed by Afghan forces. Humayun himself also escaped the Ganges after saving his life. His family remained in the camp. Humayun could reach Agra with the help of some believing Mughals. Humayun's entire army was destroyed.
Outcome of war
After the Chausa War, Humayun's fall was decided. His army was destroyed. Some members of his family also died in this war.
The power and ambitions of the Afghans increased again. Now they started planning to drive out the Mughals and take control of Agra.
Sher Khan has now assumed the title of Sher Shah.
Sher Shah taught his name "Khutba". Minted the coins and issued the decree.
He sent Jalal Khan and took control of Bengal and himself reached Kannauj via Benares, Jaunpur and Lucknow.