144 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
During the winter the Uzbecks had time to recruit 
their forces, and early in the spring the king marched 
against them ; but owing to the desertion of his uncle 
and brother, who drew off several other princes in al- 
liance with him., Baber was defeated and obliged to 
retire to Samerkund, which Sheebany Khan imme- 
diately invested^ but attempting to enter it by esca- 
lade, was repulsed with great loss. Having turned the 
siege into a blockade, a dreadful famine raged within 
the walls. The blockade continuing for several months, 
the youthful sovereign seeing no hopes of relief, quitted 
the city with about a hundred followers under cover of 
night. After encountering the severest hardships he 
finally reached Tashkund, where he was received by 
his uncle Sultan Mahmood Khan with great kindness 
" The flight of Baber, and the success of Sheebany 
Khan/' says Father Catrou,* “were the means of 
establishing two of the greatest monarchies in the 
East. The Uzbecks took possession of Samerkund, 
which has ever since been the capital of their empire ; 
and Baber, compelled to fly, carried into India the 
Moghul domination, which subsists to the present 
day.” 
From this time Baber was the sport of fortune for 
more than two years. He was successively dispos- 
sessed of every place which had owned the domination 
of his father ; and Sheebany Khan secured the so- 
vereignty of his kingdom. The young monarch, 
however, still retained the command of a few brave 
troops who followed his desperate fortunes. Seeing 
* Hist, du Moghul. 
