Before writing the blog about Sher Shah Suri I thought of going back one generation and writing the blog about the tomb of Hasan Khan Suri who was the father of Sher Shah Suri. His tomb is also located in Sasaram and located very close to the tomb of Sher Shah Suri.
A Short History Of Hasan Khan Suri
Bahlul Khan Lodi (1421 – 1489) was the sultan of Delhi (1451) when he annexed Jaunpur and placed his eldest son Barbak Shah Lodi as the subahdar of the province. Sikandar Khan Lodi was the second son of Bahlul Khan Lodi and after the death of his father succeeded to the throne of Delhi (1489). There was a short power struggle with his elder brother Barbak Shah Lodi however Sikandar Khan Lodi proved himself and was able to maintain his dominance. This power struggle between the brothers was resolved and Barbak Shah was restored as the subahdar of Jaunpur.
Barbak Shah Lodi was very weak and this was exploited by the local zamindars who preferred Hussain Shah in his place. The kingdom was constantly attacked by these local Zamindars and Barbak Shah Lodi was unable to bring these local chieftains under his control. Finally, Barbak Shah was arrested and removed from his post, and the kingdom of Jaunpur was annexed to the Delhi sultanate by his elder brother Sikandar Khan Lodi.
In 1493 Jamal Khan Sarangkhani was put in charge of Jaunpur by Sikandar Khan Lodi. Hasan Khan Suri was made the Jagirdar of Sasaram by Jamal Khan as he helped him during his conquest of Jaunpur especially fighting off the local Zamindars. This was the same Jamal Khan to whom Sher Shah had run away and served him instead of his father Hasan Khan.
Tomb Of Hasan Khan Suri
The tomb of Hasan Khan Suri was built by his son Sher Shah Suri. Hasan Khan died around 1526 and Sher Shah Suri ascended to the throne of Delhi in 1538 so many historians have concluded that the tomb that we now see in its grandeur would most probably have been constructed much later.
There is an inscription inside the tomb but that has no direct mention of the date of construction of the tomb but mentions that the tomb of constructed by Sher Shah Suri after he became the emperor.
What To See At Tomb Of Hasan Khan Suri
Unlike the tombs of Sher Shah and his son Islam Shah which are surrounded by artificial lakes the tomb of Hasan Khan does not have any water body around it thus many refer to this as the “Sookha Rauza” (dry mausoleum).
This place has four gates but the gate on the eastern side which is approached from Sukha Rauza Road is mostly used by visitors. On the eastern side, there is a small rectangular-shaped ornamental gate. Once inside don’t be surprised to see the local boys using the open ground around the monument as a cricket field and also do not be surprised to see teenage boys and older men using the shade of the tomb as a resting place while they play games on their mobile and even to hide behind the pillars for a smoke.
The whole monument is surrounded by a wall on each of the four corners there is a domed structure. The main structure is in the shape of an octagon and on each fact of the octagon there are three arched gates. The room at the center of the building which houses the graves is protected by large iron gates. The gates usually remain closed and the key to the main gate is kept with the security guards. Unfortunately, since this monument is not so frequented by the tourists thus the guards come and go according to their own will and wish.
The inscription on the western wall above the mihrab inside the tomb has an inscription written in Naskh (script) which translates to:-
“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God. (In the reign of) Faridu -d Din-wad-dunya, Abu’l Muzaffar, Sher Shah, the Sultan, (was built) this dome (gummat) of the revered Miyan Hasan, at the request of Shaikh Abu Sarwani.”
On the western side there is a functioning mosque and a little towards the north of the mosque is a Baoli (large stepwell) aptly named Hasan Khan Baoli.
How To Visit The Tomb Of Hasan Khan Suri
This monument is under the ASI (Archeological Survey of India) but this monument is not ticketed. No additional charges are required for photography however don’t be surprised if the locals ask a thousand questions and may sometimes ask you to click their photos also.
The tomb is located within the city of Sasaram and can be easily reached on foot, by car, or by taking a battery-operated rickshaw. If the local transport does not understand Hasan Khan Suri tomb, then tell them “Sookha Rauza” which is the more common name. This monument is located very near to the tomb of Sher Shah Suri and can also be reached on foot from here. There is a small vacant space right opposite the east gate where one can park their vehicles.
Location Of Tomb Of Hasan Khan Suri On Map
Resources
Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteer: Shahabad By L.S.S OʼMalley, J.F.W James
Bihar Through The Ages By R.R. Diwakar
Annual Report Of The Archeological Survey Of India Part 1 – 1914-15
Epigraphia Indica Arabic & Persian Supplement – Archeological Survey Of India
Exemplary display of Afghan and Mughal architecture Exemplary display of Afghan and Mughal architecture
Other Blogs On Bihar
Tomb Of Islam Shah Suri
Daud Khan Fort – Aurangabad
Rohtasgarh Fort – Sasaram
Kumhrar Excavation Heritage Park
Places To Visit Around Bodhgaya
Golghar – Patna
Barabar Caves – Day Trip
Dungeshwari – Mahakala Cave Bodhgaya
I traveled to Sasaram as a part of Wiki Loves Monuments documenting the various historical places in the state of Bihar.