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The Seven Cities of Delhi


events connected with Delhi, which had occurred before this.

In A.D. 1534 Humayun conceived the building of a new fort at Delhi, which he proposed to call Din Panah,"shelter of the faith," and it was pointed out to him by his courtiers, who were mostly astrologers, that this would be a fortunate year in which to commence the enterprise. He therefore proceeded to Delhi, laid the first brick with his own hands, and then sailed down the Jumna to Agra in a floating palace which he had himself designed.

In 1538 Hindal Mirza, brother of Humayun,revolted against him, caused himself to be proclaimed emperor at Agra, and marched to Delhi,presumably there to ascend the throne in due form. Two faithful nobles, however, anticipated his arrival by making forced marches, and held Firozabad against him. Kamran, the brother who possessed the Punjab, came to Hindal's aid, but the stout defence of Fakhr-ud-din made them raise the siege. The two brothers then went to Agra, and Humayun might have been deposed, had not a common danger, in the shape of Sher Khan, caused all to combine for safety. Kamran soon abandoned the confederacy and returned to the Punjab, so Humayun moved against Sher Khan alone, but was defeated at Kanauj.214