Babar's Third Foray: Testing the Waters of Hindustan

The path to empire is rarely a straight line. For Zahiru-d-din Muhammad Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India, his ambition to establish a foothold in Hindustan was marked by several attempts, each a learning experience, a test of will, and a strategic maneuver. The Akbarnama, the official history of his grandson Akbar's reign, offers a detailed look at these early expeditions, providing insights not just into military movements but also into the character and challenges faced by Babar.

Let's explore the third of these significant forays into the Indian subcontinent, as recounted in the Akbarnama.

Setting Out: Ambition Meets the Unexpected

Babar, based in Kabul, had his sights set on the fertile plains of Hindustan. His third expedition, according to the Akbarnama, commenced on a Monday, the 1st of Muharram, 925 AH (January 3rd, 1519 CE). The target was Bajaur, a region strategically located on the route into India.

However, the journey began with a dramatic and unexpected event. As the army marched towards Bajaur, a great earthquake struck. The earth shook violently for half a sidereal hour (a measure of time based on star movements). This wasn't just a minor tremor; the text describes it as a significant natural phenomenon, a powerful reminder of forces beyond human control, even for a determined conqueror.

Diplomacy and the Capture of Bajaur

Despite the unsettling start, the expedition continued. As they approached the region of Swat, an envoy arrived from Sultan 'Ala'u-d-din Siwadi, a local ruler. This suggests Babar wasn't solely relying on force but was also open to diplomatic overtures, or perhaps, the local rulers were already feeling the pressure of his advance.

The primary objective, the fort of Bajaur, was soon captured. The Akbarnama notes that the fort was presented to Khwaja Kilān Beg, a trusted officer who had served Babar's father and whose six brothers had given their lives in Babar's service. This highlights Babar's reliance on loyal, long-serving individuals and his practice of rewarding them with significant responsibilities.

A Change of Course

Following the capture of Bajaur, Babar contemplated the next steps, including an expedition into Swat against the Yusufzai tribe. An envoy from the Yusufzai chieftain even brought his daughter, offering humility and submission.

However, the expedition faced challenges. The region was difficult, described as a "country of wild beasts," and there were issues with securing adequate supplies. More significantly, the text states that Babar's "fixed determination too was to undertake the expedition to Hindustan." Despite this resolve, and even though "preparations for the march to India had not been made and the officers were not in favour of it," Babar decided to turn his forces towards Hindustan.

He crossed the Indus river (known as the Nilab) on a Thursday, the 16th of Muharram, with his army, horses, camels, and baggage. The camp market (urdā bazār) was floated across on rafts. They encamped near Bhira, a town located near the "hill of Jud" (part of the Salt Range). Babar, ever the keen observer, noted the distinct flora, fauna, and customs of this new land, writing in his memoirs, "Immediately on reaching them, I beheld a new world... I was struck with astonishment, and indeed there was room for wonder."

Babar levied a sum of 400,000 shāhrukhīs (a type of coin, roughly equivalent to ten or eleven pence each at the time, totaling around £20,000) from Bhira as a price for protection, distributing the money among his troops. He assigned the region to Hindu Beg and Khushab to Lenger Khan, entrusting them with its administration.

He even sent an ambassador, Mullā Murshid, to Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, the ruler of Hindustan, who had recently ascended the throne. The message contained "salutary counsels," likely a demand for territory previously held by Timur's descendants. However, the governor of Lahore detained the ambassador and sent him back without fulfilling his mission, an act of "utter folly" from Babar's perspective.

Despite these initial steps into Hindustan, Babar ultimately decided to return to Kabul. The text attributes this to "state reasons," including the "sluggishness of the officers and the non-co-operation of his brothers." Hindu Beg, left in charge of Bhira, also returned to Kabul later, having been left without sufficient means.

A Step Towards the Future

While this third expedition did not result in a permanent conquest, it was far from a failure. Babar had successfully captured a strategic fort, explored new territories, observed the land and its people, and even made initial diplomatic contact (albeit unsuccessful) with the ruling power in Delhi. He tested the routes, assessed the challenges, and gained valuable experience that would inform his future, ultimately successful, campaigns.

The Akbarnama's detailed account, including the earthquake, the diplomatic exchanges, the challenges faced, and the internal disagreements, paints a picture of a determined leader navigating complex circumstances. Each step, even a temporary retreat, was part of the larger, unfolding narrative that would eventually lead to the establishment of one of the world's great empires. This expedition, though not the final one, was a crucial step in Babar's persistent pursuit of his destiny in Hindustan.