Battle of Chausa
Chausa, Buxar district, Bihar, India
What happened
Sher Khan (later Sher Shah Suri), with Ujjainiya Rajput allies, fought the Mughal emperor Humayun. Humayun was marching toward Agra when Sher Khan drew him back across the Ganges at Chausa. The two armies camped facing each other for three months while Sher Khan held peace talks. When the rains began, Sher Khan attacked, the Mughal camp flooded, and Humayun barely escaped.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a heavy defeat for the Mughals, and the winner crowned himself as Sher Shah. A year later he beat Humayun again at Kannauj and ruled northern India.
What came next
Humayun went into exile, while Sher Shah issued the first rupee coin and rebuilt the Grand Trunk Road. After Sher Shah died in 1545, his empire fell into civil war, and Humayun later won back Delhi.
Did you know?
After capturing the Mughal camp, Sher Khan treated the women of Humayun's household kindly and sent them safely back to him.
Timeline
- 6 April 1538Sher Khan is first crowned at Gauda.
- 26 June 1539Sher Khan wins at Chausa.
- 17 May 1540Sher Shah is crowned again after Kannauj.
- 22 May 1545Sher Shah dies at Kalinjar.