Evaluate Sher Shah Suri’s administrative reforms. To what extent was he a "Precursor of Akbar"?

Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545 A.D.), though ruling for only five years, established an administrative machinery so efficient that it served as the foundation for the Mughal Empire. Historians like Keene and V.A. Smith rightly call him the "Precursor of Akbar" because Akbar later built his grand empire on the blueprint provided by Sher Shah.

1. Key Administrative Reforms

• Territorial Division: He divided the empire into Sarkars (districts) and further into Parganas. Each Pargana had officials like the Shiqdar (law and order) and Munsif (revenue).
• Land Revenue System: He introduced the Rai system (schedules of crop rates). Land was measured using the Sikandari Gaj, and the state's share was fixed at 1/3rd of the produce. He issued Patta (title deed) and Qabuliyat (deed of agreement) to protect peasants.
• Currency Reform: He abolished old, debased coins and introduced the Rupia (silver coin) and the Dam (copper coin). The Rupia remained the standard currency of India for centuries.
• Communication (Grand Trunk Road): He built and restored four major highways, most famously the Sadak-i-Azam (GT Road) from Sonargaon to the Indus. He built 1,700 Sarais (rest houses) which acted as Dak-Chaukis (postal stations).

2. To What Extent was he a "Precursor of Akbar"?

Akbar’s success was largely due to his adoption and refinement of Sher Shah’s policies:

• Revenue Model: Akbar’s Zabti system and Dahshala system (under Raja Todar Mal) were direct improvements of Sher Shah’s measurement-based revenue collection. Todar Mal actually started his career under Sher Shah.
• Military Policy: Sher Shah revived Alauddin’s Dag (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive rolls of soldiers). Akbar adopted these to eliminate corruption in the Mansabdari system.
• Religious Tolerance: Sher Shah followed a policy of religious neutrality. He employed Hindus like Brahmjit Gaur in high positions, a path Akbar later expanded into Sulh-i-Kul.
• Provincial Administration: The division of the empire into Subas under Akbar was an extension of Sher Shah’s Sarkar system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sher Shah Suri was a genius of transition. He replaced the clannish feudalism of the Lodis with a centralized bureaucracy. If Sher Shah had lived longer, the Great Mughals might never have returned. He represents the fact that good governance is the only way to gain legitimacy, regardless of the length of the reign.