Editing Hemu (section)

==Rise to prominence==
Details of Hemu's early career are vague and involve much speculation. Following his start as a seller of saltpetre, he is said to have been a trader or a weighman in the market. After [[Sher Shah Suri]] died in 1545, his son [[Islam Shah]] became the ruler of the [[Sur Empire]]. During his rule, Hemu became the superintendent of the market in Delhi with some military experience under his belt.{{sfn|Chandra|2004|p=92}}{{sfn|Qanungo|1965|p=448}} Hemu is subsequently said to have been appointed the Chief of Intelligence and Superintendent of Posts.{{sfn|Qanungo|1965|p=448}} Other sources also place him as a surveyor of the imperial kitchens.{{sfn|Tripathi|1960|p=158}}

Islam Shah, who liked to place Hindus in command alongside Afghan officers so that they could spy on each other, recognised Hemu's soldierly qualities and assigned him responsibilities equivalent to those of a high-ranking officer.{{sfn|Qanungo|1965|loc=p. 448|ps=: Qanungo states that Islam Shah raised Hemu to Brahmjit Gaur's position under Sher Shah Suri. [[Brahmjit Gaur]] has been described as a "fort general".{{sfn|Myer|1995|p=48}}}} Hemu was then dispatched to monitor the movements of Humayun's half-brother, [[Kamran Mirza]], in the neighbourhood of [[Mankot]].{{sfn|Qanungo|1965|p=448}}

Islam Shah died on 30 October 1553{{sfn|Tripathi|1960|p=170}} and was succeeded by his 12-year-old son, [[Firuz Shah Suri|Firoz Shah]], who was killed within three days of his accession by his uncle, [[Muhammad Adil Shah (died 1557)|Adil Shah Suri]]. The new ruler was, however, more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than the affairs of the state.{{sfn|Sarkar|1960|p=66}} But Hemu threw in his lot with Adil Shah, and his military successes led him to be elevated to the position of Chief Minister and the general supervisor of the state.{{sfn|Tripathi|1960|p=158}} According to Abu'l-Fazl, Hemu "undertook all appointments and dismissals, and the distribution of justice" in Adil Shah's court.{{sfn|Qanungo|1965|p=448}}