The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.s2.119

v3.c29.s2.119

Sangrama had been in communication with Bābur while the latter was still at Kābul, and had agreed, in the event of his invading India, to attack Agra while he attacked Delhi, but had failed to fulfil his promise, hoping, apparently, either that both Bābur and Ibrāhīm Lodī would be destroyed or that the victor would be so exhausted as to afford him an opportunity of establishing his supremacy and restoring Hindu rule in Northern India. Not content with failing to aid Bābur, he assembled a large army to attack him, and began operations by besieging Bayāna. Bābur marched to the relief of the fortress, and Sangrama raised the siege and marched to Khānua, near Sīkrī, where the fate of Northern India was decided. A full account of the battle will be given in the records of Bābur's reign. Sangrama displayed no eagerness to attack the Muslims, and according to the Hindu annals the battle was preceded by negotiations, in which Silahdī the Tomār, chief of Rāisen, a fief of Mālwa, but now virtually independent, was employed as the intermediary. He is said, on the same authority, to have made a private agreement with Bābur, in pursuance of which he deserted the Hindu cause and joined the Muslims during the battle, but the extenuation of defeat by allegations of treachery is as common in Hindu annals as in those of other nations. The Rājputs suffered a crushing defeat. Sangrama himself was severely wounded, and Rāwal Udai Singh of Dūngarpur; Ratan Singh, Rāwat of Salūmbar; Rāimall Rāthor, grandson and heir of the prince of Mārwār; Khet Singh and Ratan Singh of Mertha; Rāmdās, Rāo of Jālor; Uja Jhāla; Gokuldas Pawār; Mānikchand and Chandrabhān, Chauhāns; and many others of less note were slain.