The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.42

v4.c13.42

As Sher Khān overran the Punjab the need for action increased. Humāyūn sent him a request to allow Sirhind to be the boundary and received a contemptuous warning that he should withdraw to Kābul. Kāmrān hoped that he could at least maintain his hold on the west if he held the rugged tribal country between India and Afghānistān. Humāyūn, while brave in tactical affairs, failed himself to produce any strategical plan. He was pressed by Mīrzā Haidar to withdraw to the Punjab hills and shelter in Kashmīr, while Hindāl and Yādgār Mīrzā suggested a movement through Sind to reconquer Gujarāt from which Hindūstān might be again invaded. While the brothers wrangled, Kāmrān treacherously sent a message to offer his assistance to Sher Khān if he were left alone. An ambassador from Sher Khān was received as if he had come to the court of Humāyūn, while secret negotiations continued. Sher Khān crossed the Beās and the brothers abandoned Lahore in a rout described as being as confused as the Day of Resurrection. The treachery of Kāmrān was now so well known in the Mughal camp that Humāyūn was urged to have him killed, but the memory of Bābur's dying wishes was still too fresh on his mind to allow him to agree to fratricide. He determined to adopt Mīrzā Haidar's scheme for the conquest of Kashmīr and moved in that direction. Before he had advanced far a threatening movement by Kāmrān was reported and his army, disgusted with the treachery of the latter, was eager to oppose him by arms. Humāyūn in his anxiety to avoid a contest which could only have weakened the Mughal strength refused to show a hostile appearance to his brother, and the meeting was thus peaceful. It ended with the departure of Kāmrān for his governorship at Kābul accompanied by his brother 'Askarī. But Humāyūn's clemency convinced Hindāl that his brother was wanting in the firmness which at that time was necessary for one who sought to rule in India. And just as Kāmrān had pursued his self-seeking aims by leaving the emperor when most in need of help, so Hindāl abandoned him and set out on a vain expedition to pursue his scheme of conquering Sind and then Gujarāt again and making it a base for further attacks on Hindūstān. In this expedition he was joined by still more adherents from Humāyūn's shrinking forces.