BABER. 
183 
nated on all sides of the square by a turreted para- 
pet. Here the solitary Mussulmaun may be fre- 
quently seen at the hour of sunset., with his face 
towards the holy city,* aspirating a silent prayer 
for the repose of the departed. Mohammedans are 
generally very fond of visiting the sepulchres of 
their saints and distinguished men, which are 
almost invariably edifices of great magnificence. 
When Baber had obtained possession of Agra, 
considerable hostility was at first manifested by the 
citizens, both Mohammedan and Hindoo, towards 
his soldiers, who generally treated them with the arro- 
gance of conquerors. The peasantry would not enter 
the city, and the bazars were comparatively deserted. 
The neighbouring fortresses were put in a posture of 
defence by their respective commanders, who refused 
to offer allegiance to a foreign monarch. The whole 
country beyond the Ganges was still in possession 
of the Afghans, who exercised great influence in those 
districts which acknowledged the Mohammedan do- 
minion. Several of their princes had been in a state 
of insurrection for at least two years before the death 
of Ibrahim, their late sovereign, and, after Baber’s 
success, united in a confederation to maintain each 
other in the possessions which they had severally 
usurped. 
The new sovereign was greatly perplexed. It being 
the hot season when he took possession of Agra, he 
could procure neither grain for the cattle nor food for 
his men. The heat was so oppressive, that his soldiers 
Mecca. 
