Pakistan is a paradigm example of a failed state that has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation.
Humayun's Rule
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.
