When Sher Khan had his difficulties with Humayun, the ruler of Bengal had tried to create all kinds of handicaps for him. The result was that after making peace with Humayun, Sher Khan made up his mind to deal with the ruler of Bengal. In the Battle of Surajgarh in 1534, the ruler of Bengal was defeated. This victory was a turning point in the life of Sher Khan.

According to Dr. Qanungo, “Great as it was as a military achievement, it was greater in its far-reaching political result. But for the victory at Surajgarh, the Jagirdar at Sahsaram would never have emerged from his obscurity into the arena of Hindustan politics to reign, in spite of himself, a race for the empire with hereditary crowned heads like Bahadur Shah and Humayun Badsah.” Moreover, “The whole of the treasures, elephants and a train of artillery of the Bengal Army fell into the hands of Sher Khan and he became the master of the kingdom of Bihar and other territory.”

The victory of Surajgarh added to the hunger of Sher Khan and he repeated his attacks of Bengal many a time. Every time, the ruler of Bengal was defeated and he had to pay money. At one time, the Ruler of Bengal got the help of the Portuguese, but even that did not help matters as Sher Khan was too cleaver for both of them. As a matter of fact, Sher Khan ruled Gaur and threatened the same in 1536 when the Ruler of Bengal was forced to make peace.

Although peace was made in 1536, Sher Khan was determined to capture the whole of Bengal. After making adequate preparations, Sher Khan attacked Bengal once again in 1537. Finding himself absolutely unequal to the task, the Ruler of Bengal appealed to Humayun for help.

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Humayun too was alarmed at the activities and achievements of Sher Khan and no wonder he at once moved towards Chunar after making the necessary preparations. He reached Chunar in November, 1537 and besieged it. He took 6 long months to capture it. It was a folly on the part of Humayun to have wasted so much of energy, time and money at Chunar.

He should have proceeded straight to Bengal to help its ruler. The result was that when Humayun was busy with his conquest of Chunar, Sher Khan conquered the Bengal territory between Monghyr and Gaur and besieged Gaur itself. Sher Khan also acquired the Fort of Rohtasgrah in Bihar by cleverness.

This fort was in the possession of a Hindu Raja. There are two views regarding the method by which this for was captured. According to one-view, Sher Khan requested the Hindu Raja of Rohtasgarh to give shelter to his women. Out of generosity, the Hindu Raja agreed. Sher Khan smuggled into the fort a large number of Armed Afghan Troops in covered litters. T” ey were disguised as women.

When the Afghan Soldiers entered the fort, they captured the sai. ? and turned out the Hindu Troops. Another story is that Sher Khan gave bribe to the Minister of Hindu Raja and got from him a promise of shelter in the fort. The Raja protested but in spite of that the Minister allowed the Afghans to enter the fort. As soon as they entered it, they took possession of the fort. This happened in 1538.

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While Humayun was busy in the siege of Chunar, Sher Khan was doing all that he could to capture Gaur as quickly as possible. After hard efforts, Gaur was captured and occupied. The authority of Sher Khan was established in Bengal but this was destined to be short-lived.