Battle of Kannauj, Background, Winner, Battle Leader

The Battle of Kannauj of 1540 is also known as the Battle of Bilgram which was fought between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and Afghan Warlord Sher Shah Suri, the mughals were defeated which led to the establishment of the Sur Empire in India and shift in power dynamics of the region.

Battle of Kannauj Background

The Battle of Kannauj Background was initiated during the disintegration of the Gupta Empire which led to power shift in North India. Other regional powers such as Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas each of these dynasties sought to control Kannauj. Kannauj was strategically important due to its location and economic significance.

Battle of Kannauj Course

The Battle of Kannauj stretched over several decades. It saw the rise and fall of multiple dynasties. The conflict involved fierce clashes between the Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Palas, and other regional powers. Each group aimed to assert dominance over the strategic region.

The Battle of Kannauj was defined by shifting alliances and frequent military campaigns. Political navigation played a key role throughout the battle. Together, these events helped shape the political map of medieval India. In a separate historical event, two armies stood face to face for nearly a month without engaging.

Eventually, heavy rains flooded Humayun’s camp. The downpour destroyed their weapons and ammunition. Sher Shah had been waiting for such an opportunity. On May 17, 1540, when he saw the Mughal forces trying to relocate, he attacked. The sudden strike threw the Mughal army into chaos. Many were killed in the confusion. Humayun fought bravely but ultimately lost. He was forced to flee the battlefield.

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Battle of Kannauj Aftermath

After losing at Bilgram, Humayun was basically on the run. He reached Agra, but Sher Shah was right behind him with a large army. Before he could make any real plans, news came that both Delhi and Agra had already fallen. He barely made it to Lahore.

In Lahore, he met his brothers but instead of coming together, they each had their own plans. Hindal wanted control over Sindh. Kamran was more interested in protecting his hold over Punjab and Afghanistan. Neither was willing to back Humayun.

When Humayun tried heading toward Kashmir, Kamran blocked the route. With no support and nowhere else to go, he moved through Lahore into Sindh. Eventually, he had to leave India and seek help from the Shah of Persia.

Battle of Kannauj Cause of Failure

• For ten years (1530–1540), Humayun was caught up in battles and barely paid attention to administration. With no meaningful reforms or welfare measures, his treasury was drained, and public support eroded. 
• Humayun misread both the strength of the Afghan tribes and Sher Shah’s strategy. He didn’t realize that Sher Shah wasn’t just a military commander, he was a smart tactician with deep knowledge of local politics and warfare.
• Afghan chieftains across northern India, long hostile to Mughal rule, rallied under Sher Shah’s leadership. Their unity, something Humayun lacked within his own camp, gave Sher Shah a major edge.
• Humayun had no backing from local zamindars or nobles. Internal feuds, especially with his own brothers, further weakened his hold. Political instability within the Mughal court made things worse.
• Humayun’s ill-timed and poorly thought-out Bengal campaign drained resources and delayed his response to Sher Shah’s rise. He failed to grasp how serious the threat really was.
• After losing the Battle of Chausa in 1539, Humayun didn’t act aggressively to retake lost territory. Instead, he stayed on the defensive, which only helped Sher Shah consolidate power and reputation.