BABEB. 
155 
CHAPTER III. 
a. d. 1519 — 1525. 
In the year 1518, Baber invaded the territories of 
the Afghans ; and having defeated those mountaineers, 
prepared to march into India. He proceeded with 
his army to the Neelab, a ford fifteen miles above 
Attock, the place where Timur crossed the Indus 
a hundred and twenty years before, having overrun 
with his troops all the country on the route, and se- 
cured an immense quantity of plunder. Upon reach- 
ing Berah, a town north of the Jelam or Behat river, 
(the Hydaspes of the Greeks,) instead of permitting 
his troops to plunder, he levied a contribution of four 
hundred thousand sharookhies, amounting to about 
twenty thousand pounds sterling. 
The king now despatched ambassadors to Sultan Ibra- 
him, who had succeeded Sikundur Lody on the throne 
of Delhi, demanding restitution of those countries in 
the Punjab* of which Baber s ancestor Timur Beg had 
retained possession. Whilst at Berah, it was officially 
announced that a son had been born to him, whom he 
* The Pun-j&b, or Country of the Five Rivers, deriving its 
name from the Indus and its tributary branches, is an extensive 
region of Hindostan, principally situated in the district of La- 
hore, but including part of Moultan. 
