Farid Khan surnamed Sher Shah founded the Suri Dynasty. In 1522 A.D. he got into the service of Bahar Khan Lohani the independent ruler of Bihar. Sher Khan joined Babur's Camp in 1527-1528 A.D. during his troubled times, and rendered him good service.
In 1529 A.D., he joined Mahmud Lodi to fight against Afghans and won the battle. In 1530 A.D. Humayun became the Mughal Emperor. Afghans decided to fight against him but lost the battle in 1532 A.D., Humayun made peace with them.
While Humayun was busy in the west for next few years. Sher Shah established his power in the east. He defeated Humayun in the battle of Chausa in 1539 A.D. and assumed the title of Sher Shah Sultan-i-Adil. In 1540 A.D. he again defeated Humayun in the battle of Kanauj and occupied cities like Agra, Delhi, Sambhal, Gwalior, Lahore and the other territory of Mughals, thus, established second Afghan Empire in India.
Sher Shah issued coins in silver and copper and eliminated billon from the series of Indian coins.
The word Mohur was introduced by Sher Shah Suri during his brief rule. It was used for the gold weighing 169 grains. His other innovation was the introduction of Dam and a silver coin called "Rupiya" that weighed 178 grains.
Shershah commenced his coinage with silver tankas and rupees. The weight of these found to be varied. Several provincial mints were set up, which continued coinage of his predecessors as well. Most of his coins were mintless initially only from 1541 A.D. onwards names of mints were included.
Suris seemed to strike very few coins in gold.
The coins of Islam Shah followed his predecessor. The accession of Muhammad Adil brought a visible change in the coinage of Suris due to disintegration of empire. Only 9 mint names were left. The coins of Ibrahim and Sikandar Suri are very scarce.
In addition to rupee, Sher Shah introduced a new copper coin, which also was retained by Akbar, known as "Dam".
Sher shah's silver coin called 'Rupiya' or 'Tanka' that weighed 178 grains. In the Silver Coin of Sher Shah there was a trace of 'Kalima' & the name of Four Caliphs on obverse side of coin. Reverse of the coin contained his name & a pious wish 'Kha'ld Allah mulk' and the name of the mint & date along the king's name in Nagari letters is in the margins.
Sher Shah's copper coin called 'Dam' during Mughal period and as paisa in Suris time. Most of the Copper coins bore on the obverse 'Fi Ahad Al-Amir Al-Hami-Al-Deen', the reverse side had the name of Sultan & other title.
