The Sur dynasty which ruled the northern parts of India from 1540 to 1556 was established by Sher Shah Sur, who belonged to a Pashtun dynasty of Afghanistan. Sher Shah Sur supplanted the Mughal Dynasty during Humayun’s reign. The Sur dynasty ruled for almost 17 years until the return of the Mughals. During its 17 year reign they ruled almost all of the Mughal territories from modern day Afghanistan in the west to modern day Bangladesh in the east. The last of Sur dynasty, Adil Shah Suri, was defeated by Akbar in the second Battle of Panipat (1556). This brought an end to the Sur dynasty in India.

Farid-ud-din or Sher Shah of Sur was the son of an Afghan adventurer who was recruited by Sultan Bahlul Lodi of Delhi as the Jagirdar of Sasaram in Bihar. After Babur defeated Lodi in the first Battle of Panipat in 1526, Sher Shah obtained some parts of the Afghan territories of Bihar and Bengal. A many battles were fought and finally in 1540 Sher Shah Sur established his reign, having defeated Mughal Emperor Humayun in the Battle of Kannauj.

Sher Shah Sur was succeeded by his son, Islam Shah Suri or Jalal Khan. Islam Shah Suri ruled for seven years (1545–53). Islam Shah Suri's twelve year old son Firuz Shah Suri succeeded him, but within days was assassinated by Sher Shah's nephew Muhammad Mubariz Khan who ruled as Muhammad Shah Adil. He was succeeded by Ibrahim Shah Suri in 1555. Ibrahim Shah Suri was succeeded by Ahmad Khan who ruled under the title Sikandar Shah Suri in 1555. In 1555, he was defeated by Humayun and Mughal dynasty was restored.

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