The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c13.6

v4.c13.6

Humāyūn, taking his insecure seat on the throne four days after his father’s death, assigned the westerly Punjab, Kābul and Qandahār to be governed by his brother Kāmrān, and made smaller provisions for the two younger brothers. He then proceeded early in 1531 to besiege the strong fortress of Kālinjar in Bundelkhand, which might be used as a base for attacks on the lower Dūāb. During these operations he received news that Mahmūd Lodī, brother of the late king Ibrāhīm Lodī, who had received support in Bengal, had invaded the east of his territory and taken Jaunpur. Humāyūn marched rapidly towards Jaunpur and defeated the Afghāns.³ They were scattered for a time, but Sher Khān,⁴ who was reported to have failed to support Mahmūd Lodī at the critical time and was the ablest leader among them, began a fresh concentration. In order to break this up Humāyūn despatched an army to invest the stronghold of Chunār on the Ganges south of Benares, and followed it himself. Before any results could be obtained other embarrassments led him to arrange a peace by which Sher Khān was left to continue his plans for an Afghān supremacy in the east. Kāmrān, since his father's death, had cherished hopes of gaining the whole of Bābur's territory in spite of the ample provision he had received. Leaving his brother 'Askarī in charge of Qandahār he advanced with an army to Lahore which he secured by a cunning stratagem, as the governor refused to be false to his trust. At the same time he continued to assure Humāyūn of his loyalty and actually received a further grant of territory round Hissār Fīrūza which had been Humāyūn's own governorship and for some generations to come was regarded as the holding of the Mughul heir apparent.