Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Nasiruddin Humayun
Babur was succeeded by his eldest son Humayun. Humayun failed in asserting a
strong monarchical authority. He inherited a freshly won empire with a host of
troubles; the Afghan nobles, the Rajputs and worst of all, his three treacherous
brothers. They caused numerous problems for him. Following his father's advice,
Humayun treated his brothers kindly and appointed them to high positions. Kamran
was appointed as the Governor of Kabul, Kandhar and later even Punjab. Askari
was the Governor of Sambhal, and Hindal the Governor of Alwar. In return, his
brothers hindered him at every step and betrayed him in his hour of need. All of
them coveted the throne.
This was a curse that each successful Mughal king had to deal with. Humayun
almost lost the empire his father had fought so hard to bequeath him. In the
first ten years of his rule, he faced so many challenges not only from his
younger brothers but also from the Afghan General Sher Shah Suri who had served
under Babur. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in the battles of Chausa and Kanauj
in 1540. This defeat was the first setback to the infant Mughal Empire. He lived
the next 15 years of his life, from 1540 to 1555, self-exiled in Persia. Later
on, with the help of the King of Persia, he captured Kabul and Kandhar. He was
finally able to re-ascend the throne at Delhi and Agra after defeating Sikandar
Suri. After recovering his throne, Humayun devoted himself to the affairs of the
kingdom and towards improving the system of government. He laid the foundation
of the Mughal style of painting. Later on, during the reign of Akbar, a fusion
of Persian and Indian style of painting took place.
Humayun's Architectural Legacy:
Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, Delhi (1528-36)
Imam Zamin's Tomb, Delhi (1537)
Hasan Khan's Tomb, Sasaram (c. 1535)
Sher Shah's Tomb, Sasaram (c. 1540)
Purana Qila, Delhi (c. 1530-45)
Qala-i-Kuhna Masjid, Delhi (1541)
Sher Mandal, Delhi (c. 1541)
Gate of Sher Shah's Wall, Delhi (1540s)
Salimgarh, Delhi (1546)
Isa Khan's Mosque and Tomb, Delhi (1547)
Sabz Burj, Nila Gumbad, Delhi
Bu Halima's Garden, Delhi
Unfortunately, after recovering his empire, Humayun was not destined to rule for
long. In January 1556, he met his tragic end by slipping from the famous
building known as Din Panah.Humayun only just managed to regain his father's
territories before his death and the accession of his 13 year old son, Akbar,
whose 49 year reign laid the foundation of empire, and the development of a new
style of architecture.
