The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.32

v4.c13.32

Humāyūn’s officers, who for a time had successfully concealed from him the serious events which were taking place, were now alarmed. He himself realised that further delay would entail complete loss of his position, and he was spurred by finding that the officer whom he designated to hold Bengal while he attempted to cut his way through Sher Khān’s forces regarded such promotion as equivalent to a sentence of death. Delay had once more placed him in the unfavourable position of a campaign during the rainy season and as his force laboured through the adhesive mud of the Ganges valley in 1539, he received news that his vanguard had been taken in the town of Monghyr and its leader captured. In doubt as to the best method of advance he offered through his brother ‘Askarī to grant any boons to those who could suggest suitable plans. ‘Askarī would have asked for money, silks, slaves and eunuchs, but the officers of the army, impressed by their critical situation and perhaps less corrupted by the recent period of sensuality and luxury, were content with rank, and better pay for themselves and their troops. When ‘Askarī advanced he found that Sher Khān had not only gained the victories already reported, but had also sent troops as far as Kanauj and had styled himself Shāh or King. Humāyūn now joined ‘Askarī on the north bank of the Ganges opposite Monghyr, and would have been wise to pursue his march on that side. Accepting, however, the advice of an unworthy favourite against that of more experienced and reliable officers, he crossed to the south bank, which was the more usual route. When the Mughul army reached the confluence of the Son and Ganges the Afghān forces of Sher Khān were in sight, and the great gun made by Rūmī Khān for the siege of Chunār was taken by them in the boat which was conveying it up the river. So far only slight opposition had been met with and the army was able to reach Chausa, a short distance from the Karamnāsa which divides Bihār from the territory of Benares.