The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.11.1

3.11.1

Sher Khan knew that the Emperor Humayun would be unable to delay long in those parts; for his spies brought him word that Bahadur Shah, the King of Gujarat had conquered the kingdom of Mandu, and was meditating the seizure of Dehli, and would shortly declare war. Humayun also having received this intelligence, Sher Khan sent his vakil to him and wrote, saying : "I am your slave, and the client of Junaid Birlas. Moreover, the good service which I did at the battle of Lucknow is known to you, and as you must entrust the fort of Chunar to some one, make it over to me, and I will send my son Kutb Khan to accompany you in this expedition. Do you lay aside all anxiety as regards these parts ; for if either I or any other Afghan do any act unbefitting or disloyal, you have my son with you ; inflict on him such reprisals as may be a warning to others." When Sher Khan's emissary represented this to the Emperor Humayun, he replied : "I will give Chunar to Sher Khan, but on this condition, that he sends Jalal Khan with me." Sher Khan sent word in reply, "In the love and estimation of their father and mother, all sons are alike. Jalal Khan is not superior to Kutb Khan, but I have many opponents and I have vowed that I will not permit one to get a footing in the country, lest afterwards the Emperor should be compelled to war with him."