[22] See Brigg’s Ferishta, vol. ii. p. 52.
[23] Babur’s strength is said to have been prodigious; as a proof of which it is related, that “he used to leap from one pinnacle to another of the pinnated ramparts used in the East, in his double-soled boots, and that he even frequently took a man under each arm and went leaping along the rampart from one of the pointed pinnacles to another.”—See Memoirs of Babur, p. 430.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY.
Heg. 937 (1531).—Humayoon succeeded, on the death of his father, to the throne of Delhi.
Heg. 938 (1532).—He defeated the Afghans at Juanpore.
Heg. 940 (1533).—Humayoon caused a citadel to be built at Delhi, on the banks of the Jumna, to which he gave the name of Deen Puna, the asylum of the faithful, after which he marched towards Sarungpoor, in Malwa.
Heg. 941 (1534)—Banadur Shah threw himself into Mando, which was invested by the Moguls, who, after a few days, escaladed the walls, and, though the garrison consisted of several thousand men, it fell into their hands. The King also made himself master of the citadel of Champanerc. Having caused a number of steel spikes to be made, while the garrison was withdrawn from a part of the fortress deemed inaccessible, he caused the steel spikes to be fixed in the scarp of the rock, by which means himself and thirty-nine officers ascended. The whole garrison was put to the sword, but the governor, who had bravely defended the place, obtained honourable terms. The wealth found here was so great, that Humayoon gave to his officers and soldiers as much gold, silver, and jewels as could be heaped upon their respective shields, proportioning the value to their rank and merit.
Heg. 943 (1536).—The King laid siege to the fort of Chunar, which held out for six months, but was eventually taken by a device of Roomy Chan. He erected stages of a certain height, placed upon rafts, which, being built at some distance above the fort, were launched and floated down without resistance. The walls being low, they were easily surmounted, and the place was thus secured.
Heg. 946 (1539).—Humayoon being surprised by Sheer Chan on the banks of the Ganges, was obliged to make his escape across the river. On this occasion, it is said that eight thousand Moguls, exclusive of Hindoos, were drowned, among whom was the Prince Mahomed Zuman Mirza. The King owed his life to one Nizam, a water-carrier, who with great difficulty swam beside him across the river, and was among the few who survived the slaughter of that eventful day.
Heg. 947 (1540).—Humayoon was attacked by Sheer Chan, and sustained another signal defeat. The King was obliged to fly, and, after enduring unheard-of miseries, reached Amurkote with a few attendants only.