Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (also known as Hemu Vikramaditya, Raja Vikramaditya or simply Hemu) (1501–5 November 1556) was a Hindu emperor of north India during the sixteenth century AD, a period when Mughals and Afghans were vying for power in the region.
The son of a Hindu priest, who later became a food seller, and a vendor of saltpetre at Rewari, Hemu rose to become Chief of Army and Prime Minister of Adil Shah Suri of the Suri Dynasty. He fought Afghan rebels across North India from the Punjab to Bengal and the Mughal forces of Akbar and Humayun in Agra and Delhi, winning 22 consecutive battles.
Hemu acceded to the throne of Delhi on 7 October 1556, assuming the title of "Vikramaditya" that had been adopted by many Hindu kings since Vedic times. His rajyabhishek (coronation) as Samrat was held at Purana Quila in Delhi. Hemu re-established the Hindu rule (albeit for a short duration) in North India, after over 350 years of Muslim rule. Some historians say that this rule was on the pattern of a strong Hindu state prevailing in South India for more than three centuries, known as 'Vijaynagar Empire'. Hemu struck coins bearing his title.
Read more about Hemu: Early Life, Social Environment, Rise To Fame, Hemu's Army, Victories Against The Mughals, Coronation, Administration, Second Battle of Panipat, Death, Aftermath