Hemu

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Hemuchandra or Hemu was an Indian military leader. The son of a food seller, he would rise to become a general under the command of Adil Shah Suri of the Suri Dynasty.

Hemu would defect from the Suris to take up command under Muhammad Shah Abdali, who was the Sultan of Bengal. Hemu was given the position of Prime Minister in Bengal after this defection. As leader of Abdali's army, Hemu was able to take Mughal lands in Northern India, namely Agra. But his successes would be ended at the Second Battle of Panipat when he was defeated by Akbar the Great. This battle established the Mughals firmly as rulers of India, and saw Hemu defeated decisively in part due to Hemu riding an elephant in the battle field, which led to his being struck in the eye with an arrow.

The result left his troops in disarray, and Hemu was captured and beheaded by Bairam Khan on November 5, 1556, after Akbar hesitated or refused to execute him himself. His head was sent to Kabul, while his body was placed in a gibbet. His army was chased down and destroyed by Iskander Khan. hemu had fought 22 battles in his career, losing the last when he was on the verge of winning it.

Hemu sold saltpetre on the streets of Rewari in his youth.

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