90 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
Having shortly afterwards ascended the throne of 
Delhi, upon the abdication of Humayoon, Shere Shah 
reigned with much popularity for a period of five 
years, when he met his death before Calinjur, a hill 
fortress, second only to Rhotas in strength, and man- 
ned by a numerous garrison. “ Shere Shah having 
surrounded the fort, carried on his approaches, con- 
structing batteries for his artillery, and sinking mines 
under the rock. The batteries were advanced close 
to the walls, a breach was made, and a general assault 
ordered, when a shell which was thrown against the 
fort, burst in the battery in which the king stood, 
and communicating to a powder magazine that had 
not been properly secured, several gunners were 
blown up ; as also the king, together with many of his 
chiefs, who were so severely scorched that they were 
carried for dead to their tents. 
In this condition, though the king breathed with 
great pain, he encouraged the prosecution of the at- 
tack, and continued to give his orders till in the even- 
ing news was brought to him of the reduction of the 
place. He then exclaimed, “ Thanks be to Almighty 
God !” and expired. The death of Shere Shah hap- 
pened on the twelfth of Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 
of the Hegira 952 (answering to May the twenty- 
second 1545, of the Christian era). He spent fifteen 
years in a military life before he ascended the throne, 
and sat on the musnud five years as Emperor of Hin- 
dostan.” * 
During the period of Shere Shah’s reign, Humayoon 
continued dependant upon the generous hospitality of 
* Ferishta, vol. ii. pp. 123-4. 
