Humayun was born on March 6, 1508, to Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and his wife Maham Begum.
In 1530, after Babur’s death, Humayun ascended to the throne of the Mughal Empire.
Humayun faced several rebellions and uprisings during the early years of his reign, including those led by his brothers Kamran, Askari, and Hindal.
In 1532, Humayun married Hamida Banu Begum, who later gave birth to his son and successor, Akbar.
In 1540, Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Sur Empire, defeated Humayun in the Battle of Kannauj and forced him to flee to Persia.
Humayun spent the next 15 years in exile, during which he sought the help of Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp of Iran to regain his throne.
In 1555, with the help of Shah Tahmasp’s army, Humayun defeated and ousted the Sur dynasty and reclaimed the Mughal Empire.
Upon his return to India, Humayun implemented several administrative and judicial reforms, including the establishment of the Diwan-i-Mustakharaj to regulate revenue and taxation.
Humayun also promoted art and culture, and his court became a center of learning and scholarship.
In 1556, Humayun died after falling down a flight of stairs in his palace in Delhi, leaving his son Akbar to succeed him as emperor.
Humayun’s reign saw the spread of Persian art and culture in India, which later became a hallmark of the Mughal Empire.
During Humayun’s exile, his half-brother Kamran Mirza controlled Kabul and eastern territories of the Mughal Empire.
In 1554, Humayun’s army defeated Kamran Mirza in the Battle of Tukaroi and reestablished his authority over the eastern territories.
Humayun also faced the threat of the Uzbek ruler Shaibani Khan, who had invaded and captured parts of the Mughal Empire.
In 1545, Humayun defeated Shaibani Khan’s son, Abdul Malik, and reclaimed Samarkand.
During his exile in Iran, Humayun was introduced to the Persian culture and literature, which later influenced the Mughal court.
Humayun commissioned the building of several architectural monuments, including the Purana Qila fort in Delhi and the tomb of his father Babur in Kabul.
Humayun’s reign also saw the introduction of the Mughal coinage system and the construction of several public works projects, including wells and canals.
Humayun was a patron of the arts, and his court saw the rise of several prominent poets and musicians, including Mirza Ghalib and Tansen.
During his exile, Humayun was helped by several allies, including the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and the ruler of Bukhara.
Humayun’s exile also saw the rise of the Sur dynasty, which briefly displaced the Mughal Empire from northern India.
After his defeat by Sher Shah Suri, Humayun fled to Lahore and then to Sindh before seeking refuge in Persia.
During his exile, Humayun also traveled to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage
In 1539, Humayun defeated the Afghan chief Muhammad Lodi in the Battle of Ghaghra, which secured his control over northern India.
In 1542, Humayun married his first wife, Princess Malika-i-Jahan, the daughter of the ruler of Badakhshan.
Humayun was known for his love of books, and he assembled a large library of rare and valuable manuscripts during his reign.
In 1544, Humayun ordered the construction of the Sher Mandal, a two-story observatory and library in Delhi, which later became his personal retreat.
During his exile in Persia, Humayun developed a close relationship with the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp and married his sister, Khanzada Begum, in 1546.
Humayun’s return to India in 1555 marked the beginning of the second Mughal era, which lasted until the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century.
Humayun’s reign is remembered for his struggles to maintain his authority over the Mughal Empire, his love of art and culture, and his contributions to the development of the Mughal administrative system and architecture.
