The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.24

v4.c13.24

In the eastern provinces it was also becoming insecure. Muhammad Sultān, who had been confined, with the additional sentence of blinding, when he revolted with his cousin Muhammad Zamān Mirzā, had evaded the operation and later made his escape from prison. He then established himself beyond the Ganges at Bilgrām, a few miles north of Kanauj, which he also took, while one of his sons secured the country along the river as far as Mānikpur and another marched on Jaunpur. The danger of losing a rich province led Hindāl, the youngest brother of Humāyūn, who had been left in charge at Āgra, to proceed against the rebels. He soon retook Kanauj, and though his crossing there was opposed he discovered a ford higher up the river and passing over it unobserved met Muhammad Sultān and defeated him before his sons could rejoin their father. He then pursued the flying rebels as far as Ajodhya and halted as he felt himself unable to attack the rebel whose forces had been strengthened by the recall of his sons from their various enterprises. The deadlock was relieved by news that Humāyūn was approaching Āgra on his return from Mālwā, and Muhammad Sultān Mīrzā decided that his best chance of success was to fight before the emperor’s forces arrived. In the battle which ensued the rebels fared the worse and being a collection of mercenaries with no common bond except the hope of success they lost heart and began to desert. Muhammad Sultān himself fled with his sons far into Bengal and Hindāl was able to occupy Jaunpur, where he stayed till Humāyūn arrived at Āgra and then joined him.