The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c12.s3.10.3

v4.c12.s3.10.3

In the meanwhile the emperor's left wing under Mahdī Khvāja had been faring badly at the hands of the Afghāns, but strong support being sent from the centre, the Mughuls were able to repel them. At this juncture Bābur ordered his gunners to open fire, and then the main attacking force of the Afghāns found themselves exposed to arrows on either flank and to shot or bullets in front. The battle lasted till noon and was throughout most hotly contested, but the superior strategy and experience of the Timurid prince enabled him to bring confusion among the vastly superior numbers of the Afghāns, who finally took to flight leaving, it is said, over 15,000 dead on the field, including Sultān Ibrāhīm himself and Vikramājīt the old Rājā of Gwalior, who had fought nobly on the side of the man who had but lately deprived him of his principality. Bābur's first care now was to secure the public treasures of Delhi and Āgra, and to prevent plundering by his victorious army. He himself entered Delhi and Humāyūn was sent forward to Āgra, which still held out: and though he was not able at once to enter the forts, he prevented any treasure being carried off. An incident now occurred which has its place among the romantic anecdotes of Indian history. The wives and children of the Rājā of Gwalior, who had been left in the fort of Āgra, were seized, while attempting to escape, by Humāyūn's men. Humāyūn, hearing of this, treated them with the utmost courtesy and protected them from their captors.