The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.39.1

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.