Hakim Khan Sur (also known as Hakim Khan Sur Afghan) was an ethnic Pashtun and a descendant of Sher Shah Suri. He served as the general in Rana Pratap's army and fought alongside him in the Battle of Haldighati, where he was killed in 1576. During the battle, he commanded an army of Afghans who attempted to stop the expansion of the Mughal Empire.

Biography

Hakim Khan Suri was a member of the Suri dynasty and was a descendant of Sher Shah Suri (the founder of the Suri Empire). Hakim Khan was a seasoned Suri, and an accurate gunner, who had his own axe to grind against the Mughals. He found in Pratap an energetic, chivalrous and bold leader, for whom the Mughals were a nuisance too. The Battle of Haldighati was a struggle between the Mughals and Mewar. Whereas Hakim Khan Suri led the vanguard for Rana Pratap, Akbar's army was commanded by the Rajput chief of Jaipur, Man Singh I and half the Mughal army was composed of Rajput soldiers. Hakim Khan was part of the battle to exact revenge from the Mughals for the defeat of Sikandar Shah Suri, his forefather.

Legacy

Hakim Khan Suri occupies a high place in the annals of Mewar and an award of the Maharana Mewar Foundation bears his name. Hakim Khan Sur Award is given by the foundation to people for outstanding achievement and service to the nation. Every year a commemorative festival is held at Haldighati where his memorial is located.

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