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Battle of Delhi (1556)

Battle of Tughlaqabad
Date 7 October 1556
Location Tughlaqabad
Result Decisive victory of the Sur Empire
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Adil Shah Suri
Commanders and leaders
  • Tardi Beg Khan
  • Iskandar Beg
  • Haidar Muhammad
  • Abdullah Uzbeg
Hemu
Strength
  • 50,000 cavalry
  • 1000 elephants
  • 500 falconets
  • 51 cannon

The Battle of Tughlaqabad (also known as the Battle of Delhi) was a notable battle fought on 7 October 1556 between Hemu, the general and chief minister of Adil Shah Suri, and the forces of the Mughal led by Tardi Beg Khan at Tughlaqabad near Delhi. The battle ended in a decisive victory for Hemu who took possession of Delhi and claimed royal status, assuming the title of Raja Vikramaditya. Following his failure, Tardi Beg was murdered by Akbar's regent, Bairam Khan. The two armies would meet again at Panipat a month later.

Since the days of the Delhi Sultanate, the city of Delhi had acquired the reputation of being the political centre of India. No ruler could be considered to truly hold sway over Hindustan until he had control of Delhi.Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, called it the "capital of all Hindustan", and his son and successor, Humayun, constructed his Din Panah at its outskirts. Humayun, however, lost his inheritance when he was chased out of India by Sher Shah Suri who established the Sur Empire in 1540. Delhi and Agra fell into Sher Shah's hands and he razed Din Panah and built his new capital, Sher Shahabad, at the same site.

Sher Shah died soon after in 1545 at Kalinjar. He was succeeded by his younger son, Islam Shah Suri, who was a capable ruler. However, upon his death in 1553, the Sur Empire was caught up in a succession battle and was plagued by rebellion and the secession of provinces. Humayun made use of this discord to recapture what was lost and on 23 July 1555, the Mughals defeated Sikandar Shah Suri and finally regained control over Delhi and Agra.


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