220 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
return. Baber displayed towards the prisoner that 
lenity for which he was remarkable, especially to- 
wards his enemies, whom he never treated harshly 
but under extreme provocation. 
The emperor now ordered his army to march directly 
to Agra ; but their progress was delayed by the arrival 
of a messenger from the fortress of Gualior, bring- 
ing information that Rahimdad, the governor, had re- 
volted. Baber instantly despatched an amyr to sum- 
mon that noble to his presence ; but the latter, afraid 
to trust himself in the hands of a sovereign whom 
he had unjustly irritated, refused to surrender, send- 
ing his son with a message signifying that he 
would follow in a day or two. This was evi- 
dently a feint to gain time. Meanwhile, overtures 
were made for an accommodation, which Baber re- 
ceived, and had actually sent despatches accepting 
the proposals of submission made by the refractory 
Rajpoot, when a person arrived from Gualior, who 
gave information that he had been sent for the ex- 
press purpose of endeavouring to effect the escape of 
the governor’s son. This act of gross disingenuousness 
on the part of Rahimdad so incensed the emperor, that 
he determined to proceed without delay against Gualior, 
and force him to a capitulation. He was, however, 
dissuaded from his purpose by some of his amyrs, 
who thought that the Hindoo might be more easily 
won than compelled to submission. A mild letter of 
remonstrance was accordingly forwarded. Baber halted 
his army on the banks of the river, where he awaited 
the reply. This pacific communication had the desired 
effect. The refractory governor commissioned two offi- 
