The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.15
Táríkh-i Sher Sháhí of 'Abbás Khán Sarwání (extracts) 3.15
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3.15.1
When Sher Khan heard these words of 'Azam Humayun, he asked his other nobles, for example, Kutb Khan, Haibat Khan Niazi, Jalal Khan bin Jalu, Shuja'at Khan, Sarmast Khan Sarwani, and others; and they unanimously declared that it was advisable to fight, for they would never have such an opportunity again. When Sher Khan perceived that the Afghans were united in his favour and in good heart to fight the Mughals, he quitted the hills of Rohtas, and marched to meet the Emperor's army. At every stage he entrenched himself with an earthwork, and going on entirely at his leisure, made very short marches. When the Emperor heard that Sher Khan was coming, he retraced his steps, and turned in the direction of Sher Khan's army. Sher Khan on hearing this, wrote to the Emperor, saying, that if the Emperor would give him the kingdom of Bengal, and be satisfied that the khutba be read and money struck in the Emperor's name, he would be the Emperor's vassal. Sher Khan then marching on, and selecting an advantageous place, — a large village with a stream of water intervening between himself and the Emperor, — entrenched himself there. The breadth of the stream was twenty-five yards.
3.15.2
Khawds Khdn also, who had been sent against Maharta, was summoned to come with all speed. The Emperor, on receiving Sher Khdn's missive, agreed to give him the kingdom of Bengal, but on condition that whereas he had transgressed his boundaries, and had encamped himself in face of the Emperor on the other side the stream, he should show his respect to the Emperor by retreating, and leaving the passage of the river free to the Emperor; and that when the Emperor Humayun had crossed, he would march two or three marches in the track of Sher Khdn, and then turn back. Sher Khdn agreed to these conditions, and leaving the passage of the river free, retraced his march. The Emperor bridging the river, crossed it with his whole camp and army and family, and pitched on the further side. He then sent Shaikh Khalil, a descendant of Shaikh Farld Shakar-ganj (the pole of the world), on an embassy to Sher Khan, to urge him to march by regular stages back to Eohtds, and to delay nowhere, and to promise that the Emperor, after making some marches in his rear, would turn aside, and after that would give, as he had agreed, to Sher Khdn's agent, a farmdn for the kingdom of Bengal. When Shaikh Khalil came to Sher Khan, he told him what the Emperor had said. Sher Khan ostensibly agreed to this arrangement, and received him with all honour and hospitality; nor did he omit the slightest point of customary etiquette.
3.15.3
Shaikh Khalil, in the presence of the Emperor's men who had accompanied him, debated earnestly and long with Sher Shah, and strongly advised the proposed peace; and during the consultation the following words fell from Shaikh Khalil: "If you do not agree to peace, away with you; declare war, and fight." Sher Khan said, "What you say is a good omen for me; please God, I will fight." After the consultation, Sher Khan gave to Shaikh Khalil money and rich clothes and manufactures of Malda and of Bengal in enormous quantities, and captivated his heart by these presents and favours. Sher Khan then sent for Shaikh Khalil in private, and speaking of the reverence the Afghans entertained for the holy Shaikh Farid Shakar-ganj, and of their mutual fatherland, and making him promises to his heart's content, said, "I wish you to give me advice regarding peace or war with the Emperor Humayun, for the learned have said, 'It behoves one to take counsel with the wise, with the intelligent, and with far-seeing holy men.' Now, in you all these qualifications are united. Tell me, therefore, without diminution or reserve, what your mind, clear as the sun, thinks concerning my well-being. Is peace or war with the Emperor most to my advantage?" After much hesitation, Shaikh Khalil said, "By asking my advice, you have in two ways placed me in a great difficulty: first, since I have come to you as an envoy from the Emperor, it is not right that I should say anything except to his advantage;
3.15.4
and, secondly, you have asked advice from me, and those of old have said, 'If even your enemy asks your advice, speak the truth.' If I give advice contrary to my own opinion, I shall act dishonestly. The Afghans for generations past have held my ancestors in reverence; and it appears from the miraculous precepts of the holy prophet Muhammad (may God's mercy rest on him!), that it behoves him who gives advice to do so in good faith. I am compelled, therefore, to speak the truth. War with the Emperor Humayun is more for your advantage than peace; for this reason, that in his army the most complete disorder exists, he has no horses or cattle, and his own brothers are in rebellion against him. He only makes peace with you now from necessity, and will not eventually abide by the treaty. Look on this opportunity as so much gained, and do not let it out of your grasp, for you will never again have such another." Sher Khan was wavering in his decision as to peace or war; but as Shaikh Khalil advised against the peace, he abandoned all idea of it, and determined on war. He had before sent for Khawás Khán, and when he arrived he ordered the whole of his troops to arms, as if Maharta was approaching to attack them. When he had gone four kos out of his encampment he returned, saying the spies had reported that Maharta was yet distant. The next day he again arrayed his army and moved out, and when he had gone several kos, returned, and said that Maharta was not coming that day.
3.15.5
A little before midnight he assembled all his chiefs, and said, "I have promised peace to the Emperor Humáyún; but I have considered that all the good service I have rendered has produced no good fruit; and after all my loyalty to him in producing the defeat of Sultán Mahmúd, he demanded from me the fort of Chunar. When I refused to yield it, he sent a force to take it; and when that failed, he came himself to seize the fort by force, but abandoned his intentions when he heard that Mírzá Muhammad Zamán had escaped from prison, and [had raised a sedition in the country. Moreover, Sultán Bahádur, King of Gujarát, was coming to invade the country of Dehlí, and so he was compelled to return. I sent my son Kutb Khán with him throughout the Gujarát campaign. Though I could have taken possession of the country of Jaunpúr, etc., yet I did not commit any act of hostility, for the Emperor is mighty; and though I had the power, I would not do any disloyal and evil act, that the Emperor might perceive I was his faithful servant, and desist from seeking to injure me. When he returned from Gujarát, he got his army in readiness, and without regarding my loyalty, did his best to expel me; but as my fortune was great, he did not achieve his desire. I made every submission, but it was all profitless.
3.15.6
When, in violation of his promises, he attacked Bengal, I lost all hope in his goodness, and apprehending evil from him, was compelled to declare hostilities against him, and I expelled his governors and spoiled his country as far as Sambhal, and have not left a single Mughal in those parts. Now, with what hope can I conclude this peace with him? He makes peace and manifests a friendly disposition towards me, because his army is in want of horses and cattle and of every equipment, and because his brothers have rebelled against him. He is but playing with me, and eventually will not abide by this peace; but having appeased the rebellion of his brothers on his arrival at Agra, and refurnished his army, he will not fail to uproot and destroy me. I have often experienced that the Afghans are braver in battle than the Mughals, who only got the country from the dissensions of the Afghans. If my brothers advise so, I will break off the peace, and will try my fortune." They all replied: "By your blessing, dissension has been banished from among the Afghan nation, and we all have been cherished by you; we will not fail in devotion and gallantry to our utmost capability. Your purpose of breaking off the treaty is most wise." Sher Khan said, "I break off the treaty.
3.15.7
I have put my trust in the Protector, and will fight the Emperor Humayun, as Mian Nizami has observed." * * * When he dismissed the chiefs, he ordered them to array their men with all speed, as if they were still in alarm as to Maharta; and when one watch of the night yet remained, the whole army, according to Sher Khan's command, marched two and a half kos in the direction of Maharta's country. Sher Khan then halted, and addressed his army, saying, "For two days I have drawn out my army, and have returned to my encampment, that I might put the Emperor off his guard, and that he might not suspect that my army was coming towards him. Now, turn; set your faces towards the army of the Emperor, and let not the honour of the Afghans out of your grasp nor fail to display your utmost devotion, for now is the time to regain the Empire of Hindustan." The Afghans replied: "Let not our lord allow any hesitation to find its way to his noble heart." * * *