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 204 THE EMPEROR BABAR recover Timur's capital in 1512 convinced him that the true road to empire led down the passes into the rich plains of Hindustan. His thoughts had often turned toward the east whilst he was bringing into order the restless tribes of his mountain realm, and several times his expeditions led him very near the Indian frontier; but he had been twenty years at Kabul before he carried his thoughts into decisive action and began his campaign of conquest. An attack in 1519 on Bajaur, in the Indian borderland near Chitral, was merely a preliminary step, though followed by the occupation of Bhira on the Jihlam. Babar had thus set foot upon the Pan jab, and claimed it in right of his ancestor Timur's conquest a hundred and twenty years before; but it was no more than a claim, for the moment he turned back to Kabul the Indians recovered the territory, and Babar 's occu- pation, with a couple of thousand horse, was but a raid. It was not till 1524 that he entered resolutely upon the campaigns which ended in the conquest of Hindustan. The appeal of Alam Khan Ala-ad-din, the uncle of Sultan Ibrahim, was but the spark that kindled a long- prepared train. The claimant to the throne of Delhi appeared at Kabul to urge a petition that was already granted in Babar 's own mind. No more propitious moment could be desired. India was seething with fac- tion and discontent. Babar was strong and prepared, and at his side was a member of the Lodi family to sanction his plans and invite adhesion. The emperor was soon on the march, and following his previous route to Bhira was quickly in the neighbourhood of Lahore.