But it's clear that he was killed at the behest of Bahiram Khan from other sources. Bahiram Khan now led the army himself. In the meantime, the loot that had fallen in the hands of Hemu was so huge that the idea of becoming a king and ruling over his land formed in his mind.
He adopted the title of Hemachandra Vikramaditya and seated himself on the throne of Delhi. Bahiram Khan, in the meantime had reached a place named Thanesar where the army was reorganized.
Hemu was by no means sitting ideal and the news of his vigorous measures were constantly reaching the Mughal camp sending waves of nervousness through them.
At Thanesar, Khan took Akbar to procure the audience of Kutbu-l-Aktab Saiyid Jalal Thenesari and begged him to give them the assistance of his prayers such was the panic caused by Hemu's movements.
They moved towards Karnal and camped there. Hemu, who had now crowned himself as the king, decided to face the imperial army.
A fanciful tale of how when Hemu was proceeding against Humayun, he had visited the mausoleum of Kutbu-l-Aktab, His Highness Kutbu-l-Hakk and pleaded for victory over the Mughals has been weaved here.
Yadgar says that Hemu had prayed that if the Mughal troops were defeated and he could procure the throne of Delhi, he would convert. But nothing of this sort happened.
Yadgar says, Hemu not only went back on his words but also persecuted Muslims. The result was his terrible defeat at Panipat. Yadgar attributes Hemu's defeat and death to the wrath of the Almighty.
This is nothing but a fanciful tale written out of spite to discredit the bravery of Hemu. This story is not mentioned anywhere else as far as I could search. If it's mentioned elsewhere, please do mention it. Would be grateful for the same.
The Mughal court and their superstitious antics are an entertaining read. Will attach a SS at the end of the thread. Moving on, on the day of the both the armies were ready to face each other.
His Highness Akbar was placed in seperate tent of his own with a personal guard of 3000 horses and Bahiram Khan personally led the troops.
Hemu was magnificent in the first part of the battle. He slaughtered the Mughals mercilessly and almost completely routed them. But a chance arrow hit him on his forehead, thus wounding him.
He ordered his elephant driver to take him back knowing fully well that he would be taken a captive if he was caught now. He was in no condition to fight.
Seeing Hemu's elephant retreating, the Mughals assumed that the animal was fleeing and they gave a chase and caught up with it. Hemu was captured and presented before Akbar.
Bahiram Khan entreated Akbar to slaughter the infidel with his own hands and thus celebrate Akbar's first success as the emperor. Akbar then proceeded to complete this and beheaded Raja Hemachandra Vikramaditya, the last of Hindu kings for a long time.
It was centuries after him that a native ruler rose to challenge the Mughal menace. It was the glorious Shivaji Maharaj and his further generations that checked and finally reduced the mighty Mughal power to a mere court of formality.
Source: Tarikh-i-Salatin-i-Afaghana by Ahmed Yadgar
Excerpts in History of India as told by Historians Volume 5
As promised, the SS.
