The Memoirs of Bābur 2.3.1

2.3.1

On Sunday, the 13th of the first Jumada, I marched from Ambala, and had halted on the margin of a tank, when Mumin Atkah and Kittah Beg both returned on the same day. The command of the whole right wing I gave to Humayun, who was accompanied by * * *. Next morning, being Monday, the 14th, Humayun set out with his light force to attack Hamid Khan by surprise. Humayun despatched on before him 100 or 150 select men, by way of advanced guard. On coming near the enemy, this advanced body went close up to them, hung upon their flanks, and had one or two rencounters till the troops of Humayun appeared in sight following them. No sooner were they perceived than the enemy took to flight. Our troops brought down 100 or 200 men, cut off the heads of one half, and brought the other half alive into the camp, along with seven or eight elephants. * * * On Monday, the 21st, Humayun reached the camp that was still at the same station, with 100 prisoners and seven or eight elephants, and waited on me. I ordered Ustad 'Ali Kuli and the matchlockmen to shoot all the prisoners as an example. This was Humayun's first expedition, and the first service he had seen. It was a very good omen. Some light troops having followed the fugitives, took Hisar- Firozah the moment they reached it, and returned after plundering it. Hisar-Firozah which, with its dependencies and subordinate districts, yielded a kror, I bestowed on Humayun, with a kror in money as a present.