Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 58.5

58.5

Sheer Shah now marched against the fort of Chittoor, which surrendered by capitulation. He next proceeded to Runtunbhore, and gave that country in jageer to his eldest son Adil Khan, who fixed his residence there. The army then moved towards Kalunjur, one of the strongest forts in Hindoostan. The Raja, in consequence of Sheer Shah's treachery to Poorun Mul, refused terms, and prepared for hostilities. Sheer Shah having surrounded the fort, carried on his approaches, constructing batteries for his artillery, and sinking mines under the rock. The batteries were advanced close to the walls, a breach was made and a general assault ordered, when a shell, which was thrown against the fort, burst in the battery in which the King stood, and communicating to a powder magazine that had not been properly secured, several gunners were blown up, as also the King, and many of his chiefs, who were so severely scorched that they were carried for dead to their tents.
In this condition, though the King breathed with great pain, he encouraged the prosecution of the attack, and continued to give his orders, till in the evening news was brought him of the reduction of the place. He then cried out, "Thanks to the Almighty God!" and expired. The death of Sheer Shah happened on the 12th of Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 952. He spent fifteen years in a military life before he ascended the throne, and sat on the musnud five years, as emperor of Hindoostan.
Sheer Shah was not more remarkable for his good sense and talents than for his justice towards his subjects; and left behind him many monuments of his magnificence. From Bengal and Soonargaum to the Indus, which is 1500 coss (2000 miles), he built caravanseras, and dug a well at the distance of every coss. Besides which he raised many magnificent mosques for the worship of God on the highway, wherein he appointed readers of the Koran, and moollas. He ordered that at every stage all strangers, without distinction of country or religion, should be entertained, according to their quality, at the public expence; and he planted rows of fruit trees along the roads, as well to preserve travellers from the scorching rays of the sun, as to slake their thirst. Horse-posts were established at proper distances, as well for forwarding quick intelligence to government, as for the advantages of trade and correspondence.
A similar establishment was also maintained from Agra to Mandoo, a distance of 300 coss (450 miles); fruit-trees being planted along the road side, and musjids, caravanseras, and wells being also constructed at short distances from each other. Such was the public security during his reign, that travellers and merchants, depositing their property on the road side, lay down to sleep without apprehension of robbery.
It is said that Sheer Shah being told that his beard grew white, replied, "it was true that he had obtained the throne in the evening of life; a circumstance he always regretted, as it left him so short a time to be of use to his country, and to promote the welfare of his people."