The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.39.3

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.