The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.34

Language: English

v4.c13.34.1

From his brothers Humāyūn could rely on no help. Hindāl had abandoned his post on the line of communications when Humāyūn advanced into Bengal, and was living in the palace at Āgra where he enjoyed the outward forms of power without using them for the benefit of the state. But while his immediate advisers traded on his youth and inexperience other officers saw more clearly the dangers which threatened. Faqr ‘Alī, the governor of Delhi, with difficulty persuaded Hindāl to mobilise the troops available at Āgra and to move them east. He also visited Yādgār Nāsir at Kālpī lower down the Jumna and planned a concentration in southern Oudh which would threaten Sher Khān’s designs on Jaunpur. These wise designs were, however, ruined by the arrival at Kanauj of Mughul officers who had abandoned Humāyūn in Bengal, including Zāhid Beg, who had declined to remain there as governor. They found Nūr-ud-dīn Muhammad, who was in charge of Kanauj, favourable to their disloyal proposals though he was married to Humāyūn’s sister. Offering their services to Hindāl they at once advanced to Kol (‘Alīgarh), where they would be in a position to join Hindāl or to move farther west to Kāmrān in the Punjab if Hindāl did not meet their wishes. Hindāl, though he received their message graciously, was not yet prepared to declare his own independence and despatched news of their arrival to Yādgār Mīrzā.

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Before it reached its destination the rebels informed Hindāl that while they were prepared to give him support if he would stand forth as emperor they would join Kāmrān if he declined. Hindāl now decided to revolt, but was for a few days held back by the remonstrances of Shaikh Phūl,¹ whom Humāyūn sent from Gaur on first hearing of Hindāl’s departure from his post. The Shaikh, like his more celebrated brother Muhammad Ghaus, was a renowned religious teacher and was Humāyūn’s own spiritual adviser. His message of remonstrance accompanied by offers of forgiveness and affection seemed at first likely to recall Hindāl to allegiance. Orders were issued to equip and despatch forces to raise the siege of Jaunpur. Unfortunately Nūr-ud-dīn arrived while these measures were being expedited and he was able to destroy the whole effect of the Shaikh’s mission, and Hindāl was persuaded once more to accept the support of the rebel nobles, for which they demanded the sacrifice of Shaikh Phūl as he had caused Hindāl to break his former promises to them. They hoped that Hindāl, involved in such a disgraceful crime, would be irretrievably separated from Humāyūn, whom they hated and despised. A frivolous charge of conspiracy with Sher Khān² was laid and the Shaikh was executed under the orders of Nūr-ud-dīn. Such a crime revolted the ladies of the palace and all officers who still remained faithful to Humāyūn.

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It marked indeed the destruction of Hindāl’s ambitious designs, for when he advanced on Delhi instead of marching to assist the emperor, Yādgār Nāsir and Faqr ‘Alī forestalled him by hasty marches and reached that city before he arrived. While Hindāl was unsuccessfully besieging Delhi Kāmrān arrived from the Punjab. Humāyūn’s generosity had placed him in a commanding position which he had improved by successful expeditions. The capture of Qandahār completed his domination over practically the whole of Afghānistān and the Punjab. He now moved towards Humāyūn’s territory and Hindāl, uncertain as to his intentions, abandoned the siege of Delhi and withdrew to Āgra. If Kāmrān had really exerted himself and pressed on to attack Sher Khān it is possible that the emperor might have come out of his difficulties with some success. But although Kāmrān was persuaded to leave Delhi untouched and to follow Hindāl to Āgra his intentions were completely selfish. On Kāmrān’s approach Hindāl withdrew to his own government at Alwar, but soon was persuaded to offer his submission, together with the rebel officers who were almost his sole adherents. The brothers did indeed set out as if to march to Humāyūn’s help, but the ambition of Kāmrān and the weakness of Hindāl made them yield to the suggestion of the nobles that if Sher Khān defeated Humāyūn the empire would fall to his brother and that if the emperor won he could be persuaded to forgive them.

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So after a few marches they turned back to Āgra just as Humāyūn’s affairs reached a crisis.