Riyaz al-salatin 101.8

101.8

As God has bestowed greater wisdom on Sovereigns than on the mass of mankind, and as in military affairs, Sovereigns are endowed with a more accurate perception of the situation, that wise sovereign (Aurangzeb) observing the adage that "war is fraud," deceived the aforesaid Khan by holding out to him the chance of being appointed Prime Minister, and said that if the latter could induce Muhammad Shuj'a to dismount from his elephant and to mount a horse, he would win this game. The aforesaid Khan, seduced by the bait held out by Aurangzeb, played false with his own old benefactor, and spoke to Muhammad Shuj'a as follows : " Victory has been already achieved by our army, and the enemy's force has been defeated. As cannon-balls, and rockets and arrows are raining from every side, it is possible that the Royal elephant might be hit ; it is therefore advisable that your Highness should dismount from your elephant and mount a horse. By the good luck of your Highness, I would immediately capture and fetch 'Alamgir." Instantly as Shah Shuj'a mounted a horse, the aforesaid Khan sent information to 'Alamgir. 'Alamgir immediately adopted the ruse of causing the music of victory to be struck up. And since the army did not find Shah Shuj'a on the elephant, news spread in the army about the victory of 'Alamgir and the defeat of Shah Shuj'a. Shuj'a's force fled panic-stricken, thinking that Shuj'a had been killed.