About this time 'Azam Humáyún, one of the chief nobles, who, together with his sons, held a mansab of 12,000, was sent to reduce the fort of Gwálior. When he reached that district, his skill and activity soon made him master of several parganas. He besieged the fort of Gwálior, and dug trenches in which he sheltered his men whilst he made his approaches, and distributed the several batteries amongst his officers. He projected fiery missiles, or shells, into the fort, and the Hindús filled bags with cotton steeped in oil, which they ignited and threw down upon the enemy. Many men were consumed on both sides. The Sultán's troops brought forward their artillery, and fired their balls with such effect that the defenders of the fort were unable to move to and fro in its interior, and were at last so much distressed that they were near surrendering. The Rájá had already determined to send seven mans of gold, several pair of elephants, and his daughter to the Sultán, when, unexpec­tedly, a farmán arrived, ordering 'Azam Humáyún as soon as he received it to proceed to Court.

When 'Azam Humáyún learned its contents, he raised the siege and prepared to depart. His sons and friends expressed to him their suspicions that the Sultán intended to take away his life, as he had already done that of other noblemen; and several grandees who were attached to him also advised him not to go. 'Azam Humáyún replied that he had eaten the salt of that family for forty years, and had been one of their staunchest adherents, and that if he now forsook them he would be considered ungrateful, and he could not suffer the disgrace of that imputation. Mahmúd Khán Lodí and Dáúd Khán Sarwání, who were among the chief grandees, said, “The Sultán has lost his senses, he cannot distinguish between those who serve him well and those who serve him ill. You have now 30,000 horse with you. Go to your son's residence, and take measures for the protection of your life, because we are fully convinced that he has sent for you for the purpose of treating you as he did Míán Bhúa and Hájí Khán.” 'Azam Humáyún replied, “I cannot act thus. I cannot turn aside and blacken my face, let what may happen.”

After this discussion he marched towards Dehlí. On the road news reached him that the Sultán had put to death Mahmúd Sarpání and Hishám Khán Sáhú-khail, two of the principal nobles. Dáúd Khán and Alláh-dád Khán said, “No evil has yet befallen you; return from this and go to your son at Jaunpúr.” 'Azam Humáyún said, “You speak truth; his actions are indeed bad: but I cannot act as you suggest.”

As 'Azam Humáyún's doom was sealed, he did not pay atten­tion to the warnings of his friends and well-wishers, but continued his march to Dehlí. When he approached it, the Sultán's order arrived, directing him to give up all his horses and elephants. This he had no sooner done, than his whole army became dis­organized. When he was within two kos of the city, the King's cup-bearer, by name Mukhlis, was sent for the purpose of depriving him of the command of the army, treasury, and their appurtenances. Mukhlis was likewise ordered to mount him on a small pony, and bring him into the city, and cast him into a dungeon; all of which he did, and deprived him of everything. 'Azam Humáyún sent to the Sultán to say, “You of course will do what pleases you, but I have two things of importance to represent to you: the first is that my son* is very turbulently disposed, and that measures should be taken speedily to repress him; the second, that I may not be prevented from obtaining water for my ablutions, and the necessaries for purifying myself after performing the offices of nature.”* After this he made no further petition, and at last the Sultán caused this single-minded man to be slain in his prison, and thus destroyed the root of his empire with his own hands. The murder of 'Azam Humáyún was the first cause of the decline of the kingdom,* for Fath Khán, his son, who commanded 10,000 horse, and was Governor of Bihár, joined himself, in Bihár, with the son of Daryá Khán Lohání, Sháhbáz Khán by name. They then openly rebelled against the Sultán, and collected 70,000 horse. Sháhbáz Khán* assumed the title of Sultán Muhammad. This insurrection was of a very serious nature, as all Bihár ceased to obey the Sultán.

At this period, Daulat Khán Lodí, son of Tátár Khán, who had long governed the Panjáb, was sent for from Lahore. He delayed to come, and sent his youngest son, Diláwar Khán, instead. The latter was asked why his father had not come in person. He replied that he would come hereafter and bring treasure with him. He was told that if his father did not come, he would be seized like the other nobles. The Sultán then ordered him to be taken to the dungeons, in order that he might see several nobles who were suspended from the walls. When Diláwar Khán witnessed this sight, he was seized with a fit of trembling, and was much alarmed. On his return to the presence, the Sultán said, “You have seen the condition of those who have disobeyed me.” Diláwar Khán prostrated himself. It is said that the Sultán intended to blind him with a red-hot bodkin, and suspend him also against the wall; but when Diláwar Khán perceived that there was no other means of escaping the Sultán's severity, he fled from Dehlí, and came to his father in six days, and told him that if he did not look to himself, the Sultán would put him to death in some cruel manner.

Daulat Khán was thrown into a deep meditation. He reflected that if he rebelled he would be accused of ingratitude; and that if he fell into the clutches of the Sultán's wrath, he would not escape alive. At last he determined to place himself under allegiance to some other sovereign. He accordingly sent Dilá-war Khán to Bábar Sháh, in order that he might make known to him, in detail, the evil disposition of the Sultán, the discord which existed amongst the nobles, and the disgust of the army, and beg him to invade Hindústán.*

Diláwar Khán went with all expedition, and reached Kábul in ten days. He intimated to those who stood at the foot of the throne that an Afghán, who had been oppressed by his sovereign, had come from Hindústán, and wished to speak to the King. The order was given for his admission. He went as a suppli­cant, and explained, in detail, the distressed state of Hindústán. Bábar said, “You have eaten the salt of Sultán Ibráhím and of his father and grandfather for thirty years, and your grandfather and father have held high posts for the last twenty years; how is it that you have thus all at once forsaken him and sought this court?” Diláwar Khán replied, “For forty years my grand­father and father have risked their lives in his service, and strengthened his throne. But Sultán Ibráhím maltreats his father's nobles, and has put twenty-three of them, the supporters of his kingdom, to death, without any cause, and ruined their families. He has suspended some from walls, and has caused others to be burned alive. When many of the nobles saw that they could hope for no safety from him, they sent me to your presence. They are all ready to obey you, and they look with anxiety for your coming.”

At that period the marriage of Mírzá Kámrán was celebrated with princely magnificence in the King's garden. * * * When the bridal ceremonies had been completed in a manner satis­factory to his benevolent intentions, the King passed the whole of that night in the garden. When day dawned, he repeated his prayers to the Great Disposer of all things, and stretching forth the hand of supplication, said, “O God! if the govern­ment of Hindústán is destined to be given to me and mine, let these productions of Hind be brought presently before me, betel-leaves and mangoes, and I shall accept them as an omen.”