R HIS FATHER'S THRONE

The news of his father's death, I have said, reached Akbar as he was
entering the town of Kalanaur at the head of his army. At the moment
he had not heard of the revolt at Kabul, nor had his adviser, Bairam
Khan, dwelt in his mind on the probability of a movement by Hemu
against Delhi. In the first few days, then, it seemed as though there
were but one enemy in the field, and that enemy the Sikandar Shah, to
suppress whom his father had sent him to the Punjab. That prince was
still in arms, slowly retreating in the direction of Kashmir. It
appeared, then, to the young Emperor and his adviser that their first
business should be to secure the Punjab; that to effect that object
they must follow up Sikandar Shah. The army accordingly broke up from
Kalanaur, pushed after Sikandar, and drove him to take refuge in the
fort of Mankot, in the lower ranges of the Siwaliks. As Mankot was
very strong, and tidings of untoward events alike in Hindustan and
Kabul reached them, the leaders {66} contented themselves with
leaving a force to blockade that fortress, and returned to Jalandhar.

It was time indeed. Not only had Kabul revolted, but Hemu, his army
increasing with every step, had taken Agra without striking a blow,
and was pursuing the retreating garrison towards Delhi. A day later
came the information that he had defeated the Mughal army close to
Delhi, and had occupied that capital. Tardi Beg, with the remnants of
the defeated force, had fled towards Sirhind.

In the multitude of counsellors there is not always wisdom. When
Akbar heard of the success of Hemu, he assembled his warrior-nobles
and asked their advice. With one exception they all urged him to fall
back on Kabul. That he could recover his mountain-capital they felt
certain, and there he could remain until events should be propitious
for a fresh invasion of India. Against this recommendation Bairam
Khan raised his powerful voice. He urged a prompt march across the
Sutlej, a junction with Tardi Beg in Sirhind, and an immediate
attempt thence against Hemu. Delhi, he said, twice gained and twice
lost, must at all hazards be won back. Delhi was the decisive point,
not Kabul. Master of the former, one could easily recover the latter.
The instincts of Akbar coincided with the advice of his Atalik, and
an immediate march across the Sutlej was directed.

Akbar and Bairam saw in fact that their choice lay between empire in
Hindustan and a small k