The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.53

v4.c13.53

When in the following year (1549) Humāyūn marched into Balkh Kāmrān was summoned to join with his forces against the Uzbegs, but failed to attend. The emperor gained some successes and actually reached the city of Balkh which he probably would have taken. But a sudden panic seized his army through fear that Kāmrān might slip past them and again occupy Kābul. A hasty withdrawal became a rout and the shattered army reached Kābul with difficulty. Once more Kāmrān abandoned his post, attacked Badakhshān and failing there tried to seduce Hindāl from allegiance to the emperor, but failed and was severely handled by the Uzbegs. Though he withdrew he was invited to Kābul by malcontents in Humāyūn’s army and marched towards it making false professions of fealty to his brother. These were at first accepted by Humāyūn till the advice of his officers convinced him of their unreliability, and Humāyūn made up his mind to capture Kāmrān. In the battle which ensued Humāyūn’s troops failed him. He was severely wounded and had to fly while Kāmrān was able to occupy Kābul and enrich himself by plundering the treasury and country. After several months’ painful convalescence in the mountains during which he was believed at Kābul to be dead, Humāyūn took the field again with the help of a force raised by the wife of Sulaimān, ruler of Badakhshān. He attempted to bind his adherents by a solemn oath of fealty. Advancing to Kābul he met Kāmrān in battle and defeated him. ‘Askarī, who had sided with Kāmrān, was captured and after confinement for a time was sent on pilgrimage and never returned,¹ while Kāmrān escaped to pursue for some time his schemes for power.