The History of Humāyūn (Gulbadan Begam) 4.2.2

4.2.2

The depression and gloom of the men who were the responsible leaders of the fugitive mob must have been deep and painful, but what was in the minds of their dependents, — the ordinary troopers, the helpless women, the comfortless children, and the camp-followers? There were many striking scenes in the lives of Babar and Humayun, but none more dramatic than that in which the latter’s flight through the Panjab ended. A little west of the Jhelam, at Khushab, the road runs through a ravine of an outlying spur of the Salt Range. Beyond this it forks, north-west for Kabul and south-west for Sind. Kamran asserted his intention to enter the defile first, perhaps with the object of closing the Kabul road. Humayun insisted on his right to take precedence, and blows threatened between their followers. Mediation was made by Abu'l-baqa, the man who had led Babar to offer himself for his son. He directed Humayun's attention to the superior force of Kamran, and he told Kamran that it was the right of Humayun to take precedence. In the end Humayun marched first and took the southern road. At the fork of the ways each commander and many a man must have made or confirmed his choice between the brothers. And so the mighty caravan split itself, and followed Kamran and 'Askari or Humayun.