BABER. 
141 
those who had remained, that they instantly abandon- 
ed him, and, joining the insurgents, besieged Andejan 
with a numerous body of troops ; intelligence of which 
was brought to Baber just as he was recovering from 
a severe illness* His anxiety of mind and exertion of 
body in consequence of this vexatious proceeding on 
the part of his turbulent allies, brought on so severe a 
relapse, that for four days he continued speechless, and 
the only nourishment he received was from moistened 
cotton applied to his tongue. 
So soon as the king was able to march, he advanced 
with all speed toward the capital of his paternal domi- 
nions, determined to risk the loss of Samerkund in order 
to save his native city. He, however, arrived too late ; 
the report of his death, which was current, inducing the 
governor to capitulate, that officer was barbarously 
put to death by Jehangire Mirza, who caused him to 
be hanged over the gates of the citadel. The young mon- 
arch was now reduced to great distress. He was aban- 
doned by his army, only between two and three hun- 
dred men remaining with him. These swore to live 
and die in his service. Nevertheless, not being able to 
cope with his enemies, he retired to Khojend, one of 
the divisions of his paternal inheritance. Here re- 
ceiving a small reinforcement of eight hundred Mo- 
ghuls, he stormed and carried some strong forts ; but, 
on account of the reduced number of his forces, was 
unable to retain possession of them. 
Baber, notwithstanding the unpromising state of his 
affairs, could not remain idle. He continued in Kho- 
jend nearly two years, during which period he took 
possession of several fortresses ,* but being obliged to 
