Tarikh-i Salatin-i Afaghina 3.4
Táríkh-i Salátín-i Afághana of Ahmad Yádgár (extracts) 3.4
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3.4.1
Diláwar Khán went with all expedition, and reached Kábul in ten days. He intimated to those who stood at the foot of the throne that an Afghán, who had been oppressed by his sovereign, had come from Hindústán, and wished to speak to the King. The order was given for his admission. He went as a suppliant, and explained, in detail, the distressed state of Hindústán. Babar said, "You have eaten the salt of Sultan Ibrahim and of his father and grandfather for thirty years, and your grandfather and father have held high posts for the last twenty years; how is it that you have thus all at once forsaken him and sought this court?" Dilawar Khan replied, "For forty years my grandfather and father have risked their lives in his service, and strengthened his throne. But Sultan Ibrahim maltreats his father's nobles, and has put twenty-three of them, the supporters of his kingdom, to death, without any cause, and ruined their families. He has suspended some from walls, and has caused others to be burned alive. When many of the nobles saw that they could hope for no safety from him, they sent me to your presence. They are all ready to obey you, and they look with anxiety for your coming."
3.4.2
At that period the marriage of Mirza Kamran was celebrated with princely magnificence in the King's garden. * * * When the bridal ceremonies had been completed in a manner satisfactory to his benevolent intentions, the King passed the whole of that night in the garden. When day dawned, he repeated his prayers to the Great Disposer of all things, and stretching forth the hand of supplication, said, "O God! if the government of Hindustan is destined to be given to me and mine, let these productions of Hind be brought presently before me, betel-leaves and mangoes, and I shall accept them as an omen." It so happened that when the mango season was approaching, Daulat Khan had sent half-ripe mangoes preserved in pots of honey, and betel-leaves, by the hand of Ahmad Khan. The King was told that Ahmad Khan, the ambassador of Daulat Khan, desired an audience. Dilawar took the offerings into the royal presence, and displayed them. When Babar's eyes fell on the fruit, he arose from his throne, and prostrated himself before the Almighty, who, he was persuaded, of His boundless generosity, had granted him the sovereignty of Hind. He gave a horse and khil'at to both Dilawar Khan and Ahmad Khan, and entrusted to them ten 'Iraki horses, and some pieces of fine linen for Daulat Khan; and then directed Ahmad Khan to precede him with these articles.
3.4.3
From that day he prepared for the invasion of Hindustan, and despatched Jahangir Kuli Khan, with 2000 Mughal horsemen, to take precautions for securing the roads and ferries, and for the collection of timber for the purpose of making boats. On Wednesday, 2nd Shawwal, A.H. 932 (July, 1526 A.D.), he set forth as a mighty monarch should, and marched to Peshawar, which city he plundered. When the royal army advanced from thence, Daulat Khan came to pay his respects to the King, and presented 10,000 gold ashrafis and twenty elephants. When Babar left Kabul, he had only 2000 Mughals with him. But after his agreement with Daulat Khan, he ordered fresh troops to be enlisted; and by the time he reached Lahore he was surrounded by a numerous army, and the Panjab fell into the hands of the Chaghatai nobles.
3.4.4
When news reached Sultan Ibrahim, in Agra, that the Mughals had conquered the Panjab as far as Lahore, he was thunderstruck, and repented him of having put his faithful servants to death. But what benefit can be derived from water which has fallen down from the head and been spent? Babar, like a roaring lion, advanced into the field; while Ibrahim came to Dehli from Agra, and wrote to Daulat Khan, saying, "You attained your present rank through my father's kindness; why have you brought the Mughals into my paternal inheritance, and made it over to them? I will now make peace with you, and will never molest you or your children. I swear this on the Kuran. Reflect, and abandon your present absurd project." Daulat Khan replied, "It is true that I was reared and raised from the dust, and brought up by Sultan Sikandar. I passed my life in endeavouring to serve him. That monarch (who has found mercy) endured much from his nobles; he was studious of pleasing: and he never endeavoured to put me to death. Whereas, whilst you were yet young, you listened to what two or three insidious advisers said to you, and thus shook your empire to its foundation. You also destroyed several of your father's servants, the pillars of the kingdom, and put an end to the confidence which others reposed in you. I have not brought the Mughals; but your own bad actions have."
3.4.5
When the whole Panjáb, and the country extending as far as Sirhind and Hisár Fírozah, had fallen into the hands of the Chaghatái nobles, they marched towards Dehlí. Sultán Ibráhím was in Sonpat, when news arrived that certain grandees, thinking the opportunity a good one, and having heard of the coming of Bábar Sháh, had besieged Dehlí with nearly 40,000 men. On hearing this, the Sultán again turned his steps towards Dehlí, to defeat the rebels, who came to the conclusion that it would be improper to fight with the Sultán during the day, because they would be put to shame on account of the benefits which he had conferred on them; and that it would be preferable to attack him by night. When the night was far spent, they reached the Sultán's army, and in the mean time several chiefs managed to escape from the Sultán's camp and join them. After putting the Sultán's troops to flight, and compelling the Sultán to conceal himself, a portion of the rebel force was scattered tumultuously in search of plunder. After sunrise, when the Sultán looked out in the direction of the rebel army, on observing 'Álam Khán and a few attendants standing near, he ordered his men to attack them; upon which they all fled away. Thus the rebels derived no benefit from their disloyalty, in spite of their having assembled a force of 40,000 men.
3.4.6
After this, when Babar heard of the confusion prevailing in the Sultan's army, he left Karnal, and Sultan Ibrahim arrived in pargana Ganaur, and there inquired of the astrologers in order that he might learn from the celestial bodies what was to happen. He inquired on whose side the victory should be. The astrologers cautiously replied, "It appears from the motion of the stars that the whole of our horses and elephants have gone over to the Mughal army." The Sultan said, "This is a proof that I shall vanquish the Mughals." They replied, "So let it be." The astrologers, being aware that Babar would be victorious, deserted the camp. Amin Khan also fled from the same place, and presented himself before Babar. Whilst these events were going on, Hamid Khan, of the Sultan's own tribe, was coming to the assistance of the Sultan with 4000 sawars, when he encountered the advance-guard under Prince Muhammad Humayun, and a battle began, in which Hamid Khan's troops being defeated, many were killed, and the rest dispersed.
3.4.7
On Thursday the Sultan summoned all his nobles and soldiers, and ordered them to dress themselves in the best clothes they had with them. He caused his embroidered tents and satin canopies to be erected, and all the preparations for a festival to be made. He threw amongst them all the gold, jewels, pearls, and ashrafis which he possessed, and said, "O friends, to-morrow we shall do battle with the Mughal army. If I gain the victory, I will endeavour to please you; if I do not, be at least content with these presents and my declared intentions." The whole of that day was spent in feasting and rejoicing. On the morrow they made ready for war. Sultan Ibrahim, on the one side, marched two kos to the west of Panipat; whilst Babar, on the other, mounting his horse at the sarai of Garaunda, chose his position two kos in the direction of the east. The Mughal army was 24,000 strong, and that of Sultan Ibrahim numbered 50,000 men and 2000 war elephants. But the entire force of Sultan Ibrahim was disgusted and vexed with his evil deeds. On Friday, the 4th of Rajab, A.H. 932, Ibrahim being destined to die, the armies were ranged in battle array, facing each other. Babar advanced, and both parties made ready for action. Babar ordered the Mughals to be separated into three divisions; the advanced guard to remain in its place, and the other two to advance and attack the enemy.
3.4.8
Although the Afghan army greatly outnumbered its opponents, yet the soldiers were dispirited and disheartened from the Sultan's ill-treatment, and the nobles were offended. A fierce conflict, nevertheless, took place in the plain to the east of Panipat: so desperate a battle, indeed, had never been seen. Many of the Sultan's soldiers were killed. He himself was standing with some of his men near him, when Mahmud Khan came forward, and said, "Our affairs are in a very desperate condition; you had better leave the field of battle. If the King is saved, it will be easy to find another army, and again make war against the Mughals. We shall soon be able to find an opportunity of accomplishing our wishes. This is my opinion; but whatever His Majesty thinks is best." The Sultan replied, "O Mahmud Khan, it is a disgrace for kings to fly from the field of battle. Look here, my nobles, my companions, my well-wishers and friends have partaken of the cup of martyrdom. One has fallen here, another there; where then can I now go? My horse's legs are dyed with blood up to his chest. Whilst I was King, I governed the empire as I pleased; now, perfidious Fortune has sided with the Mughals, what pleasure is there in life? It is better that I should be like my friends, in the dust and in blood." On saying this, he rushed into the thickest of the fight, with 5000 brave horsemen, who were all that remained to him of his best troops, and slew many of the Mughals.
3.4.9
After which, towards the close of the day, he obtained martyrdom. He fell on the spot where his tomb now is. When Babar was informed of his death, he was standing in the rear. He sent Dilawar Khan to make inquiries as to the truth of the intelligence. He accordingly went out to the plain where the slain were lying, and beheld that powerful Sultan prostrate in the dust and weltering in blood, the royal crown fallen from his head, the state canopy also on the ground. Dilawar Khan returned and related what he had seen. The tender heart of Babar prompted him to visit the spot. He raised his head from the earth and said, "Honour to your bravery!" He then commanded brocade to be brought, and sweetmeats to be prepared; and ordered Dilawar Khan and Amir Khalifa to bathe him and bury him where he had fallen. He also directed that care should be taken of the property of Ibrahim. On the same day 2700 horses, and 1500 elephants, and the royal treasure were brought into Babar's camp. The next day he marched thence, and encamped on the western side of the city, from whence he despatched Amir Khalifa, Allah-dad Khan, and Tursam Bahadur, with 10,000 of the bravest Mughal horsemen, for the purpose of protecting the valuable property and riches which were in the cities of Dehli and Agra. The Afghans, after being absolute rulers for seventy years, left their habitations, their goods, and their wealth, and proceeded to Bengal, and a complete dispersion of them ensued.
3.4.10
After making arrangements with regard to the spoil of the Sultan's camp, Babar departed for Dehli, where, on his arrival, he took possession of the vacant throne.