- Sher Shah Suri (1540-45 AD) was the founder of Sur Dynasty. His original name was Farid.
- He organized brilliant administrative system dividing his empire into sarkars further into parganas. Shiqdar (military officer), Amin (land revenue), Fotedar (treasurer) and Karkuns (accountants) oversaw administration in Parganas.
- Introduced a new silver coin called Dam (Rupia) which was in circulation till 1835.
- Insisted on measurement of sown land, Tax could be paid in both cash and kind.
- Improved communication system and built the Grand Trunk Road (Sarak-i-Azam) extending from Sonargaon (now in Bangladesh) to Attock (now in Pakistan) and run through Delhi and Agra 1500 km.
- Borrowed the system of Dagh and Chehra from Allaudin Khalji.
- Built a city near Yamuna of which sole survivor is Purana Quila.
- Malik Muhammad Jaisi completed his work Padmavat during his reign.
- He defeated Humayun in Battle of Chausa (1539) as assumed the title Sher Shah as emperor.
- In 1540 he defeated Humayun in the battle of Kannauj / Bilgram and annexed Kannauj.
- He was succeeded by Islam Shah and Islam Shah by Muhammad Adil Shah.
Architecture of Sur Dynasty
- Tomb of Sher Shah Suri is in Sasaram, Bihar
- Another important monument is Sher Shah’s own tomb. The Purana Qila and the Quila Kohna Masjid inside, are also ascribed to Sher Shah Suri.
- Surs made use of red and dark grey stone latticed screens, decorative turrets, painted ceilings and colored tiles
