Sultans of Delhi, Suris, Sher Shah (1538-1545 AD), RARE Double Square Silver Rupee, Weight : 11.53 Grams ; Mint : Kalpi ( Full Mint ) Rare ; G&G D784.

 Sultans of Delhi, Suris, Sher Shah (1538-1545 AD),

RARE Double Square Silver Rupee, Weight : 11.53 Grams ;
Mint : Kalpi ( Full Mint ) Rare ; G&G D784.
Note : Kalpi is an ancient town, and can be identified with the modern town of Kalpi in Uttar Pradesh, India. On Sher Shah’s silver rupees of Kalpi, the mint name appears inside the reverse central square, and carries the mint mark of a six pointed star above the mint name.
The Battle of Kalpi:
After the battle of Chausa (946 AH, 1539 CE), where the Mughal army was routed, Humayun retreated post-haste to Agrah. In the meanwhile, Sher Shah who was now the undisputed ruler of Jaunpur, Bihar and Bengal set his eyes upon Agrah and the ouster of Mughals from India. To this end he marched towards Agrah, and encamped near the eastern bank of the Ganges near the town of Bilgram, Uttar Pradesh, India. The battle of Ganges (947 AH, 1540 CE), fought in Bilgram would prove to be Sher Shah’s final victory over Humayun, making Sher Shah the Emperor of India, and putting a hold on the Mughal takeover of India.
Prior to the final engagement at Bilgram, Sher Shah had detached a contingent of his army under the command of his (third) son Qutb Khan. The objective of Qutb Khan was to capture Etawa and Kalpi from the Mughals. This would make the Mughals mindful of the Afghan troops at their rear and effectively divide their attention from the main battle with a possible threat from the rear. Qutb Khan engaged the Mughal forces led by Qasim Hussain Sultan Uzbek, Iskander Sultan (the Mughal commander of Kalpi) and Yadgar Nasir Mirza at Kalpi. The Afghan forces were routed, Qutb Khan was slain in battle and his head was sent to Humayun. The decision to send an advance guard under the leadership of the young and inexperienced Qutb Khan, was a rare lapse of judgement on the part of Sher Shah whose military acumen was renowned amongst both the Afghans and the Mughals.
The battle of Kalpi is explained in a different context by the Tarikh e Sher Shahi. According to which, Qutb Khan was sent towards Malwa by Sher Shah who had entered into an alliance with the rulers of the fragmented sultanate of Malwa. The chiefs of Malwa had assured Sher Shah of their cooperation. The plan was to combine the forces of Malwa with the Afghan troops under Qutb Khan and march on Agrah so that the Mughal army would become occupied on two fronts, simultaneously. However, upon being informed of Qutb Khan’s advance to Malwa, Humayun sent his brothers Mirza Hindal and Mirza Askari to check the advance of Qutb Khan. When the chiefs of Malwa learnt that the Mughal princes, at the helm of the royal troops were marching to challenge Qutb Khan, they reneged on their commitment and did not support Qutb Khan. Qutb Khan had no choice but to retreat towards Kalpi. The fort of Kalpi was under Muhgal control under the authority of Iskander Mirza. It was at Kalpi, that the retreating Afghan troops were engaged by the royal Mughal army. The ensuing battle of Kalpi resulted in Mughal victory and Qutb Khan was slain. Sher Shah was however not thwarted by the loss and continued with his march towards Agrah. The Afghan camp instead of being demoralized became more invigorated by an added purpose of revenge for the fallen prince.
During Sher Shah’s reign Kalpi was designated as a Sarkar (the largest unit of Sher Shah’s administrative structure) with a garrison of one regiment (fauj) and five hundred match-lock riflemen (banduqchis).

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