BABER. 
225 
CHAPTER IX. 
a.d. 1529 — 1531 . 
From this time the emperor’s health rapidly declined, 
his constitution being no doubt broken by the intem- 
perate use of ardent spirits, of which he appears to 
have been extremely fond. Humaioon, hearing of his 
royal parent’s precarious state, and considering it pru- 
dent to be near the seat of empire in case of the 
sovereign’s sudden death, quitted Badukhshan, of 
which he then had the government, left this in the 
hands of a confidential minister, and departed for 
Hindostan by way of Cabul. He had scarcely quit- 
ted the country entrusted to his charge, when the 
Khan of Kashgar invaded it, and being joined by 
several refractory amyrs, overran the whole district, 
of which, though vigorously opposed by Hindal Mirza, 
Humaioon’s brother, he finally took possession. Tid- 
ings of this unwelcome event reached the prince 
after he had arrived at his father’s court. He com- 
municated the intelligence to Baber, who received it 
with deep dejection. Feeling his own energies de- 
clining, the consciousness that he could not per- 
sonally resent such an unprovoked aggression preyed 
upon his mind, and aggravated the growing infir- 
mities of his frame. His strength daily decreased; 
