The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.14.7

3.14.7

When the Emperor Humayun advanced in the direction of Sher Khan, thus encamped about Rohtas, Sher Khan assembled his chiefs, and addressed them thus: "The army of the Emperor Humayun is in great disorder from his delay in Bengal; moreover, sedition has arisen in Agra. It is on this account that he neglects me, and is taking his departure. If you agree with me, I will try my fortune, for my force at this moment is in perfect order. Before the Emperor marched against Bengal I made every submission, and agreed to pay a yearly tribute, if the Emperor would confer Bengal on me, that I might not be brought into hostilities with my patron. He agreed to give me Bengal, but when the envoy of the King of Bengal, Sultan Mahmud, came to him, the king retracted his promise, and I was compelled to oppose him; and now that I have overthrown his armies which were in Bihar and Jaunpur, and taken those countries, the way to peace is closed." 'Azam Humayun Sarwani (who had been one of Sikandar's nobles, and had now joined himself to Sher Khan) replied: "You ought not to take counsel with the nobles of Sultans Bahlol and Sikandar as to fighting the Mughals, for this reason, that every plan we have devised has by our ill-fortune failed, and as often as we have fought, we have from our internal dissensions been defeated. Fortune has befriended you, in that the whole of the Afghans have become united heart and soul under you, and have been always ready to engage the Mughals.