The fort of Gualior was in a state of siege. Tartar Chan was at this time governor of it; but being beleagured by the Rajah of that country, to whose family it had formerly belonged, and not in a condition to resist the numerous forces of the Hindoo, Tartar Chan solicited Babur’s aid. The detachment of troops sent by the Mogul monarch defeated the Rajah, and obliged him to raise the siege. The governor being now released from his enemies, and repenting of his promise of submission, delayed, under plausible but frivolous pretences, to put the Moguls in possession of the fortress. Their general, therefore, retreated in disgust, with a threat of soon coming in larger force to compel this fulfilment of the conditions upon which his services had been expressly rendered.
The Moguls had no sooner retired than the Rajah returned with his forces and invested Gualior. Tartar Chan was again in a dilemma, but feared making another application to the Mogul Emperor, whom he had lately requited with such signal ingratitude.
Within the fort was one Sheik Mahomed Ghows, a very learned man, who had a great number of students under him, and was looked upon as an oracle throughout the province. He was consulted in all cases of emergency, being thought to possess the gift of inspiration. In his difficulty, Tartar Chan repaired to the sage, and asked him what was to be done under the present unpromising aspect of his affairs.
“We have not provisions,” said he, “for more than a few weeks; and the garrison is already so much reduced that a sally cannot be prudently attempted. What is to be done?”
“You have but a choice of evils; you must propitiate the Mogul.”
“But how?”
“Deliver the fortress into his hands.”
“Then I may as well capitulate to the enemy.”
“No; from the Hindoos you may look for extermination, from the worshippers of the Prophet you may hope to retain your government in fealty to the Emperor.”
“No vassal is secure under the domination of despotism.”