Heg. 949 (1542).—The Queen Banoo Begum gave birth to Prince Akbar. Humayoon, finally took refuge in the capital of Seestan, where he was hospitably received by the governor on the part of Shah Tamasp, King of Persia. Upon Humayoon’s flight, Sheer Shah Soor ascended the throne.
Heg. 950 (1543).—Sheer Shah laid siege to the fort of Raisein. The siege was protracted for many months, but, upon the governor capitulating, the garrison were permitted to march out with their arms and property.
Heg. 951 (1544).—The King marched against the fort of Chittore, which surrendered by capitulation. He then marched towards Kalunjur, one of the strongest forts in Hindostan. During the siege, a shell, thrown against the fort, burst in a battery, close by the King, and igniting a powder magazine which had not been properly secured, Sheer Shah, and a number of gunners, were blown up, together with several chiefs, who were carried to their tents as dead. The King, though he breathed with great pain, gave orders for the attack to be continued, and, in the evening, news being brought to him that the place had been reduced by his troops, he cried out, “Thanks to the Almighty God!” and expired. He was succeeded by his younger son, Julal Chan, who assumed the title of Islam Shah, corrupted to Sulim Shah.
Heg. 953 (1546).—Sulim Shah narrowly escaped death from a daring attempt of Syced Chan.
Heg. 955 (1548).—The King slew an assassin who attempted his life in the mountain of Mankote.
Heg. 957 (1550)—Khowas Chan, a chief justly renowned for his great abilities in war, having revolted, was assassinated by Taj Chan, in order to recommend himself to the King.
Heg. 960 (1553).—Sulim Shah died after a reign of nine years. He was succeeded by his brother-in-law, who put the Prince Feroze to death, and usurped the throne.
Heg. 961 (1553).—Mahomed Shah was attacked by a young noble in the audience chamber, and narrowly escaped with his life. The daring youth who had assaulted him was cut to pieces by the guards.
Heg. 962 (1554).—The fortunes of Mahomed Shah began to decline. Khizr Chan, son of Mahomed Shah Poorby, of Bengal, in order to revenge the death of his father, slain in the battle of Kalpy, raised an army, and assuming the title of Bahadur Shah, wrested by force a great part of the eastern provinces out of the hands of Mahomed Shah, whom he eventually defeated and slew. Secunder Shah Soor was elected king. He was this year defeated with great slaughter by Humayoon, who had returned to his dominions with a numerous and well-appointed army. This victory decided the fate of the empire, and the kingdom of Delhi fell for ever from the hands of the Afghans. Humayoon re-entered Delhi in triumph, and became a second time King of Hindostan.
Heg. 963 (1556).—Shah Abool Maaly, on account of disputes with the generals of his army in the Panjab, had given time to Secunder Soor to rally his forces. The King accordingly permitted his son Akbar, under the direction of Beiram Chan, to go against him. One evening as the King was walking on the library terrace at Delhi, in consequence of his staff slipping along the marble pavement, he fell headlong, and was taken up insensible. He was laid upon a bed, and although he recovered his speech, he died four days after, about sunset. He was buried in the new city on the banks of the river, and a splendid monument was erected some years after by his son Akbar. Humayoon died at the age of fifty-one, after a reign of twenty-five years, both in Cabul and India. He was a prince of great intrepidity, possessing the virtues of charity and munificence in an eminent degree.