Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 56.9.3

56.9.3

Babur, perceiving this rumour affected the minds of his troops, called a council of war, in which most of his officers gave it as their opinion, that, owing to the superior numbers of the enemy, it was advisable, after leaving a strong garrison in Agra, to retreat for the present to Punjab. Babur, after some reflection, asked the chiefs, "What will all the Mahomedan kings in the world say of a monarch, whom the fear of death obliged to abandon such a kingdom? It is more consistent with true heroism to reconcile ourselves to martyrdom, and to exert ourselves with all our hearts; for," said he, "as it is certain the soul must of necessity quit the body, it is fit that it should do so with honour; for the whole object of a man's life should be, that when he dies he may leave behind him a spotless name." The whole assembly, as if inspired with one soul, cried out, "War! war!" The King, who had been formerly much addicted to wine, made a vow publicly to drink no more, should he prove victorious in this campaign; and orders were accordingly issued to prohibit its sale in the camp, not more, perhaps, from adherence to his oath, than to keep the soldiers cool for action.