The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.39

Language: English

v4.c13.39.1

Sher Khān, having now consolidated his position in Bengal, returned along the north bank of the Ganges and felt himself strong enough to attack the Mughuls. A preliminary expedition led by his son Qutb Khān against Yādgār Mīrzā, who still held Kālpī, was a failure and Qutb Khān lost his life. Excited by this success, Humāyūn advanced early in 1540 from Āgra towards the Ganges and Sher Khān retreated across it. The Mughul army though probably twice the size of Sher Khān's was no longer the equal of Bābur's trained forces. Many of its best soldiers had perished in the fruitless expedition to Bengal. As the force drew near the enemy it was abandoned by numbers of experienced leaders, especially those who had joined from Kāmrān's troops. An exception was that of Mīrzā Haidar Dughlāt, a first cousin of Bābur, who had been greatly trusted by Kāmrān and had been left by him in charge of Lahore when he made his successful raid on Qandahār. Both the brothers sought to retain his services and he finally decided to serve Humāyūn, who had treated him as a brother, in the honest belief that if Sher Khān were not defeated he would drive all the Mughuls, including Kāmrān, out of India. The two armies lay facing each other near Kanauj with the broad bed of the Ganges between. As defections continued it was clear that Humāyūn must fight or would find himself a leader without an army. Accordingly the river was crossed and small engagements took place.

v4.c13.39.2

Before any general battle had occurred the rainy season began unduly early and the Mughul camp in the low land near the river was flooded. Mīrzā Haidar suggested a bold manœuvre to mask a change to a better position near the enemy. This was difficult to carry out as the camp was thronged with many thousands of followers and the army would be an easy prey if attacked during the confusion of a move. On 17 May, 1540, the Mughul artillery was sent to the front and the guns and wagons were chained together, so that the camp followers could march behind their protection if an attack was made. Sher Khān moved out his forces against them, while the Mughuls were still in confusion with their numerous non-combatants pressing on behind the guns in such masses that the chains were broken. The leaders were incapable and cowardly and many of them fled for their lives as they saw the Afghān troops arrive. Humāyūn with his usual personal bravery tried to rally his men, but was forced to fly. Mīrzā Haidar laments that 40,000 men in armour fled before 10,000 without a single cannon being fired. A few miles behind them lay the river in which many perished, encumbered by their armour. Humāyūn crossed with difficulty on an elephant but only a few¹ of the thousand men immediately accompanying him succeeded in escaping. As the small band rode towards Āgra it was attacked by Chauhān Thākurs at Bhongāon² and the refusal of ‘Askarī to help in chastising the assailants moved Humāyūn’s wrath.

v4.c13.39.3

At Āgra, the capital, there was no chance of a rally. So great was their distress that Humāyūn, who had lost a daughter after the battle of Chausa, discussed with Hindāl the question of killing their female relations to avoid capture by the Afghāns, but was dissuaded and Hindāl conducted them to Lahore, often having to beat off attacks by the villagers on the route. The emperor’s small party rode in confusion towards Delhi till the news that a party of Afghāns was following roused Humāyūn to instil some order into his small following. After a couple of days’ halt at Delhi he hurried on to Lahore, forced to cross rivers swollen by rain without the help of boats. Close behind them came the Afghāns, who occupied Āgra and Delhi without opposition. At Lahore all four brothers met, Hindāl and ‘Āskarī having visited the headquarters of their charges on the way to collect what treasure could be recovered. Even in the presence of imminent danger from the Afghāns concord was impossible. With Humāyūn driven out of Hindūstān Kāmrān saw that he was likely to have to give up his own possessions in the Punjab and Afghānistān, and the danger of this made him disinclined to join in a hazardous resistance to Sher Khān which might involve the waste of his own resources.