The Seven Cities of Delhi
kos; he also caused to be erected "kos minars," many of which stand to this day, although the old road has been ploughed up, and merged in the fields. To Sher Shah, also, are attributed the "Kila Kona" Mosque, and the "Sher Mandal," both in Humayun's Fort.
ISLAM SHAH, commonly called Sallm, now succeeded his father, and, like him, made Agra his capital. In 1546, however, he was at Delhi for a short time, and commenced the construction of the fort of Salimgarh; he also ordered the walls of the Purana Kila to be rebuilt in lime. In 1551 he undertook an expedition into the Punjab, and had hardly returned to Delhi when he was informed of the advance of Humayun, to attempt the recovery of his lost kingdom. Islam set out at once, not waiting for bullocks to draw his artillery, which had to be drawn by hand; so heavy were the guns that a thousand men are said to have been required for each. Of course the roads were then not metalled. Humayun would not meet him, but retired, and Islam returned from Lahore to Agra, whence he went to Gwalior, a place which he preferred to either Agra or Delhi. He died in A.D. 1553. Besides his other buildings, he erected an intermediate sarai between every two of his father's, and thus was equally a public benefactor.216
