Afghan-origin empire founded by Sher Shah Suri after his decisive defeat of Humayun, briefly displacing Mughal rule across northern India and instituting influential administrative, currency (the rupee), and road-building reforms (the Grand Trunk Road).
Weakened by succession disputes after Sher Shah's death (1545); decisively reconquered by the returning Mughal Humayun at the Battle of Sirhind in 1555-56, restoring Mughal rule.
Covers the Sur interregnum between the first and second phases of Mughal rule.