Humayun

Humayun was the second Mughal emperor of India (ruled 1530–1540 and again 1555–1556), the son of Babur.

• Why his rule was difficult: Humayun inherited a new empire that was not yet stable. Many Afghan nobles and regional rulers challenged Mughal control, and the administration was still being built.
• Major setback: He was defeated by Sher Shah Suri, which forced Humayun to lose Delhi and leave North India for a time. This break in Mughal rule is often called an “interlude” because it was a temporary gap between Mughal phases.
• Life in exile shaped his comeback: Humayun took refuge in Safavid Persia (Iran). Persian support helped him return, and Persian culture strongly influenced the Mughal court afterward (especially art, language, and administration).
• Return to power: After Sher Shah’s death, the Sur Empire weakened due to internal conflicts. Humayun used this opportunity to reconquer Delhi in 1555.
• Short second reign, big impact: Humayun died in 1556 after falling down the stairs of his library. His reconquest mattered because it made it possible for his son Akbar to rebuild and greatly expand the Mughal Empire.

One lasting reminder: Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, built by his wife Hamida Banu Begum, is an early example of grand Mughal architecture and later inspired monuments like the Taj Mahal.