structural:reformatting, quality:correction
Rise to power (1497–1528)

Farid Khan accepted his father's offer and embarked on implementing numerous reforms. His early administrative career focused on combating corruption. One of Farid Khan's significant reforms as administrator of his father's domains was the assessment of land revenues, along with defining and establishing commissions for tax collectors. However, despite these reforms, Farid Khan faced resentment and intrigue from his stepmother, who had initially forced him to flee, and his step-brothers. This opposition eventually led to Farid Khan resigning from his post in 1518, after serving as manager for 21 years. Following his resignation, he departed for Agra, which was under the rule of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

Farid Khan remained in Agra until his father's death, after which he received his father's jagirs from Sultan Ibrahim Khan Lodi. Returning to his jagirs in 1520-21, he began administering them while contending with his half-brother Sulaiman, who initially drove Farid Khan away. Farid Khan later returned with the support of Behar Khan Lohani, forging an alliance that allowed him to reclaim his jagir and several other crown Parganas. In 1526, the Lodis were overthrown, bringing the Mughals to power under Babur. During this time, Behar Khan Lohani established an independent state in Bihar and assumed the title of Sultan Muhammad. With his jagirs secured, Farid Khan accompanied Behar Khan to Agra and arrived in April 1527, where he met Mughal emperor Babur. During this time, Farid Khan was conferred the title of Sher Khan after killing a tiger that lept upon the ruler of Bihar. Sher Khan remained in Agra, observing Mughal military organization and administration.

During one occasion while dining with Mughal Emperor Babur, Sher Khan encountered a dish he was unfamiliar with eating customarily. In response, he drew his dagger cut the dish into smaller pieces, and then ate it with a spoon. Babur took notice and informed his minister Mir Khalifa:

Keep an eye on Sher Khan, he is a clever man and the marks of royalty are visible on his forehead. I have seen many Afghan nobles, greater men than he, but they never made an impression on me, but as soon as I saw this man, it entered into my mind that he ought to be arrested for I find in him the qualities of greatness and the marks of mightiness.

Suspecting a rising plot against him, Sher Khan departed Agra and returned to his own Jagirs in 1528. Feeling unsafe there, he sought refuge under the protection of Sultan Muhammad of Bihar. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received and appointed as the guardian of Muhammad's son, Jalal Khan.