When the news of Naurang Khán's fate reached his mistress, she, being endowed with a masculine mind, put on a suit of armour, bound round her waist a gilt quiver, and placing a helmet on her head, joined the army of Naurang Khán. Upon consultation with his brother, she recommended that he should send all the troops to pay their respects to her, and should give out that the prince, the son of Ahmad Khán, had arrived, in order that the enemy might be distracted, and not entertain the persuasion that they had really killed the commander of their enemy's troops. Accordingly, all the cavalry dismounted, and made their obeisances, while the kettle-drums resounded with loud notes of joy. The Imperialists, notwithstanding their victory, were perplexed, and in the midst of their doubts, were suddenly attacked so furiously by Ahmad Khán's army, that they were put to flight. Ahmad Khán, when he heard of the victory of his army and the salutary aid afforded by that woman, was astounded with joy; and when he saw her arrive, decked in martial array, he praised her valour and conduct, and bestowed jewels upon her to the value of 10,000 rupees.

On the other hand, Prince Báyazíd, after punishing the men who fled from the field of battle, sent for another army, and two or three great nobles were despatched to his assistance with large reinforcements. When these had all joined, they made an inroad upon Ahmad Khán's territory, and he, after many battles, was at last taken prisoner and put to death, while his country was sequestered and included in the Imperial domain. Báyazíd returned victorious to the court of Sultán Bahlol, by whom he was received with royal benignity.

* * * * * * *
The reign of Sultán Ibráhím Lodí.

Some historians relate that when Sikandar died, he left two sons by one wife: the first, Sultán Ibráhím; the second, Jalál Khán. When Ibráhím grew up, and became celebrated for his personal beauty and excellent disposition, the nobles determined to place him on the throne, to which they accordingly raised him on Thursday, the 7th of Zí-l hijja, A.H. 923* (Nov. 1517). On that day, all those who were attached to the royal person prepared the tents, embroidered with gold and adorned with jewels, and spread carpets of various colours, worked with gold thread. They placed the throne of Sikandar, covered with gems of price and jewels of great value, on a coloured carpet. The tributary kings and nobles wore beautiful dresses and embroidered garments, and resembled the flowers blooming in a garden. The horses and elephants were decked with the most magnificent trappings. So splendid a coronation had never been witnessed, and the people consequently long remembered the day on which this fortunate and youthful monarch obtained the crown.

The nobles and pillars of the State then gave Ibráhím's brother by the same mother, the title of Sultán Jalálu-d dín (he had been previously called Jalál Khán), and sent him with many officers and a large army to take charge of the kingdom of Jaunpúr. Four months afterwards, 'Azam Humáyún Lodí* and the Khán-khánán Farmulí came from their estates to congratulate the King, and took that opportunity of accusing the nobles attending on His Majesty, saying, that it was a great error for two persons to share a kingdom, and that two sovereigns could never rule together. As the poet says:

“One body cannot cover two souls,
Nor one kingdom own two monarchs.”

Accordingly, Sultán Ibráhím cast the agreement which he had made with his brother into the recess of oblivion; and after taking advice, came to the conclusion that as the Sháhzáda was not thoroughly established, and had not as yet arrived at the seat of his government, it would be best to write and tell him that the Sultán required his presence to aid him in transacting certain momentous affairs; that he should come unattended; and that after they had consulted together, he might return to the seat of his government.*

Haibat Khán, the wolf-slayer, who was noted for his extreme cunning, was despatched on this errand, and directed to cajole the Sháhzáda to return with him. It is said, that walls have ears, and an account of this arrangement had, before this, come to the ears of Jalálu-d dín, so that he was not entrapped by the flattering speeches and attempts at deception which Haibat Khán used profusely, and therefore he would not consent to come. Haibat Khán reported his unsuccessful mission, and the King then sent divers other courtiers; these were also unsuccessful, as the Sháhzáda steadily refused to go with them.* After this, the Sultán wrote farmáns containing expressions of kindness and goodwill to all the nobles and jágírdárs of the súba of Jaunpúr, and promised them munificent rewards if they would forsake their allegiance to Jalál Khán, and refuse to treat him as their ruler. He sent secretly a confidential servant to certain of the nobles, bearing dresses of honour, horses, etc., and commanded them, on the receipt of this farmán, to renounce allegiance to Jalál Khán.

As it was decreed by fate, that Jalálu-d dín should not reign, many of the grandees deserted him, and became his enemies. At this period Sháhzáda Jalál Khán, having set up a jewelled throne, and covered the doors and walls of his palace with brocade, sat there in state on the 15th of Zí-l hijja, 923 A.H. (Dec. 1517). He gave audience to the servants of the State, the courtiers and the soldiers, to all of whom he presented dresses of honour, swords, girdles, daggers, horses, elephants, titles, and honours, according to their respective ranks. Having thus gained the good opinion of the people, he opened the gates of charity to the poor and needy, and increased their allowances; and having thus established his authority, he ceased to obey Sultán Ibráhím, and caused the khutba to be read and coin to be struck in his own name. When he felt himself sufficiently powerful, he sent confidential agents to 'Azam Humáyún, who was at that time besieging the fort of Kálinjar,* and wrote to him, saying, “You are in the place of my father and uncle, and are well aware that the compact has not been broken by me. Sultán Ibráhím, of his own accord, gave me a portion of the inheritance which our father left, because I was his own brother, the son of the same mother. He has broken the phial of the con­nexion which we derived from our parent's womb with the stone of unkindness. You ought to protect and help me because I am oppressed.” Previous to this 'Azam Humáyún had been ill-disposed towards Sultán Ibráhím. He was moved by the supplications of Jalál Khán, and raised the siege of the fort. He entered into a treaty and compact with Jalálu-d dín, and told him that he ought first to obtain possession of Jaunpúr, and then see what was best to be done. He then advanced towards Oudh by an uninterrupted succession of marches. The governor of that place, finding himself unable to contend with him, fled towards Karra, and sent information of what was passing to Sultán Ibráhím, who wished to start immediately with some picked men for the purpose of repressing the disturbance. By the advice of certain of the nobles, he confined four of his brothers in the fort of Hánsí, and entrusted them to the charge of Muhammad Khán with 500 horse. He, moreover, summoned all the nobles into his private apartment, and gained them to his side by making them presents in gold, and giving them titles and dignities; after which he ordered the bakhshís to issue arrears of pay to the army, and give them one month's gratuity.