Sher Shah Suri's victory over Humayun at Chausa temporarily ended Mughal dominance in northern India and enabled Sher Shah to crown himself emperor.
Key Facts
- Date
- 26 June 1539
- Location
- Chausa, 10 miles southwest of Buxar, Bihar
- Mughal soldiers drowned
- ~8000 troops
- Estimated total troops
- Over 200,000 troops
- Outcome for Sher Shah
- Crowned himself Farīd al-Dīn Shēr Shāh
- Mughal losses
- Camp, artillery, and harem captured
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After Humayun distributed Bengal's provinces as jagirs and neglected military consolidation, Sher Khan seized control of surrounding regions and severed Humayun's communications with Agra. Humayun attempted to march back via the Grand Trunk Road, but Sher Khan maneuvered him into recrossing the Ganga to its southern bank at Chausa, where both armies encamped for three months while Sher Khan stalled with peace negotiations.
At the onset of the monsoon rains, Sher Khan launched a surprise assault on the Mughal camp, which had flooded. The Mughal forces fell into disarray; approximately 8,000 soldiers drowned in the swollen Ganga while others were killed by Afghan forces. Sher Khan captured the Mughal artillery, camp, and harem, while Humayun escaped by fleeing across the river.
The defeat was a decisive blow to Mughal power in northern India. Sher Shah Suri used the victory to crown himself emperor under the title Farīd al-Dīn Shēr Shāh, establishing Afghan dominance. Humayun's position was severely weakened, eventually leading to his exile from the subcontinent until he reclaimed his throne years later.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Humayun.
Side B
2 belligerents
Sher Shah Suri, Gajpati Ujjainia.