The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c12.s1.12

v4.c12.s1.12

Bābur had long desired to get possession of Qandahār on account of its strategic importance. On the fall of Herāt the Arghūn princes in Qandahār had appealed to Bābur for military aid, but no sooner had Bābur set out than they changed their minds and determined to oppose him. Bābur, advancing by way of Qalāt, which he took, met Muqīm and Shāh Beg, the sons of Zū'n Nūn Arghūn, in a pitched battle, in which the Arghūns were put to flight. Shortly afterwards Nāsir Mīrzā brought news that Shaibānī Khān was on his way to lay siege to Qandahār, having apparently been encouraged in this enterprise by the fugitive Muqīm. Shaibānī fully expected to find Bābur in Qandahār, but Bābur on this occasion did not display his wonted courage. Instead of waiting to meet the Uzbegs he held a council of war, at which it was decided to undertake a raid into Hindūstān, and in September, 1507, he set out on an expedition which is regarded by Abu-'l-Fazl as Bābur's second invasion of India. Meanwhile Shaibānī Khān had attacked Qandahār, but withdrew without taking it, his presence being required in the north owing to the rebellion of one of his chiefs. On reaching Mandrāwar Bābur retraced his steps to Kābul, but whether this was on account of disagreement among his nobles—for they had started without any fixed plan—or as a result of Shaibānī's withdrawal, we cannot determine. It was on his return to Kābul from this expedition that Bābur ordered that he should in future be styled not Mīrzā (prince), but Pādishāh (emperor). It was perhaps an unsuitable moment for him to change his title, but it should be remembered that Kābul was the only Timurid state which remained after the fall of Herāt.