Delhi in Moghal Times
JALAL-UD-DIN MAHOMED AKBAR, son of Humayun, was away in the Punjab; the events of the past few years had left many claimants to the
throne, and the death of Humayun had occurred at a singularly inopportune moment. It was therefore determined to conceal the fact of his death, and for seventeen days a eunuch, dressed in the royal robes, appeared at the daily ceremony of public audience, while couriers with despatches hastened to Bahram Khan, who was with Akbar. At last Akbar was proclaimed, but he was not to obtain the throne unopposed, for Himu, the minister of Adil Shah, determined to
contest his right. He advanced swiftly on Agra, and occupied that place, while Akbar's generals retired to Delhi, but had to abandon the place after sustaining defeat. Himu then assumed the name of Raja Vikramaditya, and advanced to the historic field of Panipat with a large army and many elephants. There Akbar and Bahram Khan engaged him. Himu was wounded in the eye with an arrow, taken prisoner, and put to death by order of Bahram Khan — an officious
action which Akbar resented, but did not dare to notice. Thus the Moghals, for the second time, obtained the Empire of India at Panipat, and Akbar at once took possession of Delhi.
This emperor did not retain Delhi as his219
