A History of Agriculture in India v2.c67.s2.2

v2.c67.s2.2

Having, thus, strengthened his fighting machine a great deal, Babur started his probe into Hindustan. Early in A.D. 1519, he went in for what is called his first expedition in India. He stormed Bajaur, which offered a spirited resistance but was ultimately forced to accept defeat before Babur’s artillery. Babur massacred the population of the city to avenge the losses he had suffered as a result of the unexpected resistance of the people of Bajaur, but more so to warn the people of other cities of the fate awaiting them if they chose to resist his army. His purpose was well served. When he reached Bhera on the Jhelum, no resistance was offered. That encouraged him to claim for the first time entire north-western India on the plea that it once formed part of Timur’s empire. Perhaps he would have followed this claim with a deeper penetration in the interior of the Punjab if he was not told that back home a conspiracy was being hatched against him.