The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.8

v4.c15.8

The news of the fall of Delhi reached Akbar and Bairam Khān at Jullundur and most of the courtiers and officers counselled an immediate retreat on Kābul, urging that it was folly to attempt to withstand Hīmū, now at the head of 100,000 men, with the 20,000 which were all that Akbar could muster. Bairam Khān decided, however, to risk all in the attempt to recover Delhi and had no difficulty in persuading the high-spirited and precocious Akbar to adopt his view. Khizr Khvāja Khān was left at Lahore to deal with Sikandar Sūr and on 13 October, 1556, the imperial army marched to Sirhind. Here it was met by the fugitives from Delhi, whose voices were added to those which clamoured for a retreat. This outburst was speedily silenced by Bairam Khān, who, having obtained from his youthful master “a sort of permission”, caused Tārdī Beg Khān to be put to death.