Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/279

Delhi in Moghal Times On the death of Islam Shah, his son FIROZ KHAN was placed on the throne, but he was at once murdered by Mobarez Khan, cousin of Islam, who ascended the throne with the title of Mahomed Adil Shah, " the just king." He had a minister named Himu, a Hindu of humble origin, who had been a small trader at Rewari;of him we shall hear again. But now he had to retire with his master into Bengal, before IBRAHIM SUR, brother-in-law of Adil Shah. Ibrahim had seized Delhi, and ascended the throne there; but this orthodox coronation was not to save him from deposition, for SIKANDAR SHAH, nephew of Sher Shah and Governor of the Punjab, possessed himself of Delhi, and defeated Ibrahim at Farah,near Agra. Thus in a few months four kines had, in succession, ascended the throne, and three were alive still, warring amongst themselves, at the beginning of 1555. Humayun, finding India weakened by these Internecine struggles, made a second attempt to recover the country, and was successful. He invaded the Punjab, sending his general, Bahram Khan, ahead, and was himself present at the battle of Sirhind, where he defeated Sikan- dars large army. He then advanced to Delhi, and reoccupled the place on July 23, 1555, after a stay of three days In Sallmgarh. 217