The Conquest of Hindustan
Chapter – 6 (Babur)
An Empire Builder of The Sixteenth Century
- Babur, having driven off the Uzbegs from Balkh, and having dealt with immediate troubles, now shifted his attention back to the affairs of Hindustan.
- Though his army was small and further depleted by sending forces to protect Qunduz and Qandahar, Babur was undeterred by the odds against him.
- He set out for Hindustan on the first of Safar, 932 AH, after waiting for Humayun, whose delays were reprimanded.
- Babur’s initial plan to occupy the Punjab became impractical unless the central power of Delhi could be addressed.
- He decided to support the deposition of Sultan Ibrahim and install Alam Khan as a means to secure the Punjab and control over Delhi.
- However, Daulat Khan’s intrigues and Alam Khan’s treachery changed Babur’s plans, leading him to fight for control of the Punjab by right and conquest.
- During the journey, Babur fell ill, which he attributed to his past indulgence in wine. He vowed to reform but did not fully keep this resolution.
- After recovering from dysentery, Babur pressed on with his march.
- Upon reaching the Kabul river, Babur learned that Daulat Khan and Ghazi Khan, with a large force, were advancing towards Lahore.
- Babur ordered his lieutenants in Lahore to join him and forbade them from engaging in battle until his arrival.
- As Babur crossed the Jihlam River, he assessed his forces, finding his army to consist of only 12,000 men, including all types of personnel.
- Despite this, Babur pressed on to rescue Lahore, confident his rapid movement would cause confusion among Daulat Khan’s forces.
- Daulat Khan, realizing Babur’s approach, could not hold his army together. His forces scattered, and he was forced into a humiliating submission.
- Babur had Daulat Khan brought before him, where he reprimanded the former ally for his betrayal, recalling all the help he had given him.
- Daulat Khan and his family were allowed to retain authority in their tribes, but all their property was confiscated.