How did Mughal Emperor Humayun die?

The correct answer is Fall from library stairs.Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor and father of Akbar the Great, met a sudden and tragic end in January 1556. Unlike many rulers of his time who died in battle or of illness,... Read More

1 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE MCQS

How did Mughal Emperor Humayun die?

  • Excessive alcohol drinking
  • Cholera
  • Battlefield
  • Fall from library stairs
Correct Answer: D. Fall from library stairs

Detailed Explanation

The correct answer is Fall from library stairs.Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor and father of Akbar the Great, met a sudden and tragic end in January 1556. Unlike many rulers of his time who died in battle or of illness, Humayun’s death was the result of a domestic accident in his capital, Delhi.


The Circumstances of the Accident:


The Emperor was a great patron of the arts and sciences, particularly astronomy and astrology. He had converted a pleasure house built by the previous ruler, Sher Shah Suri, into a library known as the Sher Mandal, located within the Purana Qila (Old Fort) in Delhi.


On the evening of January 24, 1556, Humayun was descending the steep stone steps of the library after observing the stars. According to historical accounts:



  • He heard the Azaan (the Muslim call to prayer).

  • As he tried to kneel or bow in reverence, his foot caught in his long robe.

  • He tumbled down the stairs, sustaining a severe head injury.

  • He passed away three days later from his wounds.


Historical Significance:


Humayun’s reign was marked by struggle; he lost his empire to Sher Shah Suri and spent 15 years in exile before reclaiming his throne in 1555. Ironically, he died just months after successfully re-establishing Mughal rule in India.


Comparison of the Options:



  • Excessive alcohol drinking: While some Mughal emperors struggled with addiction (like Jahangir), this was not the cause of Humayun's death.

  • Cholera: This was a common cause of death in the medieval era, but not for Humayun.

  • Battlefield: Humayun survived many battles, including the battles of Chausa and Kanauj, but did not die in one.

  • Fall from library stairs: The correct answer, a fact famously noted by historian Stanley Lane-Poole, who remarked that Humayun "tumbled through life, and he tumbled out of it."

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