In 1555, the battle of Sirhind was fought between the Mughal Empire and the Suri Empire.

Background

After the death of Islam Shah Suri, the civil war among various contenders of the Suri Empire erupted for supremacy. Sikandar Shah Suri was occupied with his struggle against Ibrahim Shah Suri when Humayun mobilized an army from Kabul. In February 1555, he captured the Rohtas Fort and Lahore.

Another division of his forces captured Dipalpur, Gurdaspur, and Jalandhar. Their advanced division proceeded towards Sirhind. Sikandar sent a force of 30,000 to intercept them. But they were defeated by the Mughal Army in the Battle of Machhiwara and Sirhind was occupied by the Mughals.

Battle of Sirhind

Sikandar led an army of 90,000 and met the Mughals at Sirhind. On 22 June 1555, they met in battle. Humayun and Bairam Khan carried out a daring raid in a rainstorm similar to what Sher Shah Suri had done at the Battle of Chausa to defeat Humayun. 

Sikander was defeated by the Mughal Army and was compelled to retreat to the Sivalik Hills in northeastern Punjab. The victorious Mughals marched to Delhi, occupied it, and re-established their empire in India.

Humayun had been in exile for 15 years after being forced to flee by Sher Shah Suri, a Pashtun commander who had taken control of the Mughal territories. 

Aftermath of Battle

During his exile, Humayun spent time in Persia where he was exposed to Persian high culture and military technology. This exposure gave him valuable insight into administration, politics, and warfare, which would later serve him well in his quest to reclaim his empire. 

After defeating his brothers in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, Humayun was able to solidify his hold over the region and return to India, where he successfully recaptured Babur’s former capital of Delhi and reestablished the Mughal Empire.

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