The Memoirs of Bābur 5.5

5.5

On Monday, the 4th Rajab, I marched from the banks of the Jumna against Bihar. * * * On the 13th, I visited the fort of Chunar. * * * Here Baba Khan brought information that Mahmud Khan was on the banks of the river Son. I immediately convened the amirs, and consulted them about attempting to fall upon the enemy by surprise, when it was finally settled that we should advance by very long marches without a moment's loss of time. * * * On Wednesday, the 20th, I embarked on the river, and halted at a kos below Ghazipur. * * * On the 22nd, I embarked on the river as usual, and landed opposite to Chusah (Chowsar). * * The army encamped on the banks of the Karmnas. The Hindus rigorously avoid this river. The pious Hindus did not pass it, but embarked in a boat and crossed by the Ganges so as to avoid it. They hold that if the water of this river touches any person, his religion is lost, and they assign an origin to its name corresponding with this opinion. * * *