History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

Once
474
The History of Islam
Besides shipyards, Sultan Salim set up a number of arms factories for
manufacturing guns, artillery and gunpowder. Along with this, a
large-scale recruiting drive was on. Moreover, a strong force armed
with modem weapons was ready to come into action on very short
notice. Sultan Salim's ministers were, in view of these large-scale
preparations
of the land force and navy, awaiting a big event but they
were still unaware of what was going to happen. Although he
consulted his
minister and advisors on various issues, he kept crucial
matters a secret. He never took any step in haste but once he resolved
to do something, he would not budge from his decision. He was a
man of courage and determination and anybody asking him to change
his opinion would lose his life. Thus after a long campaign against the
Muslim rulers and conquering a number of Muslim countries he was
certainly making military preparations against the European powers.
Since he wanted to leave nothing to chance, he was reorganizing his
forces leaving no loophole anywhere.
Sultan Salim was desperately engaged in his military preparations
when he passed away on Shawwal 6, 926 A.H. (September 22, 1520
C.E.) and lefr the task of conquering Europe to his son Sultan
Sulaiman Azam.
Sultan Salim marched from Constantinople on Shawwal 1, 926 A.H to
Adrianople. He was encamped on the way to Adrianople when he
developed a bod on his thigh. His physicians advised him against
riding but he would not pay heed until the toil took a serious turn
and he succumbed to it.
A Review of the Reign of Sultan Salim
Sultan Salim oiled for eight years, eight months and eight days but he
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