[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Muntakhab al-lubāb](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab) › [Muntakhabu-l Lubab, of Khafi Khan (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot) › 26 # Muntakhab al-lubab 26: Dara Shukoh. Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 26 - **Language:** English ### [26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.26) \[vol. ii. p. 62.\] Directions were sent to Amir Khan, Governor of Lahore, that upon the return of Shaikh Mir from the pursuit of Dara, he was to remove Prince Murad Bakhsh from Salim-garh, and send him under charge of Shaikh Mir to Gwalior. On the 18th Jumada-l awwal Aurangzeb reached Agra, and on the 23rd he again set out. He now learnt that Dara Shukoh had passed through Kachh to the borders of the province of Ahmadabad. He had collected round him three or four thousand horse. After the troops of Aurangzeb had given up the pursuit of him, he proceeded leisurely, endeavouring to gain over the faujdars and zamindars, and to collect soldiers. By presents of money and jewels he won over the Zamindar of Kachh, and affianced his daughter in marriage to Prince Sipihr Shukoh. The zamindar sent him on with an escort through his territory towards Ahmadabad. Upon his arriving there, Shah Nawaz Khan, the subadar, one of whose daughters was married to Aurangzeb, and another was in the house of Murad Bakhsh, went out to meet him, accompanied by Rahmat Khan diwan, and others. They presented to him near ten lacs worth of gold, silver, and other property belonging to Murad Bakhsh, which was in Ahmadabad. Dara Shukoh then exerted himself in collecting money and men, and in winning adherents by presents of robes and jewels, and by promotions in rank and title. He appointed officers, who took possession of the ports of Surat, Kambayat, Broach, and the districts around. In the course of a month and seven days he collected 20,000 horse, and he sent requisitions to the governors of Bijapur and Haidarabad for money and men. He also thought over several plans for going to the Dakhin, and for joining Raja Jaswant Singh. \* \* On the 1st Jumada-l akhir Dara Shukoh began his march with a well-appointed army and a large train of artillery, for he had obtained thirty or forty guns from Surat. As he pursued his march, he every day received false and delusive letters from Raja Jaswant, befooling him with promises of coming to his assistance. When Aurangzeb received intelligence of these proceedings, he marched towards Ajmir. Mirza Raja Jai Singh had interceded with him on behalf of Raja Jaswant; so he pardoned his offences, and wrote to him a conciliatory letter, reinstating him in his mansab, and restoring to him his title of Maharaja. He at the same time directed the Raja to write to him about the state of affairs, and send the letter by swift messengers. \* \* Muhammad Amin Khan, who had been commissioned to punish the Raja, was recalled. Raja Jaswant, who had advanced twenty kos from Jodpur to meet Dara Shukoh, on receiving the Emperor's letter, broke off his alliance with Dara, and returned to his own country. This defection greatly troubled Dara, who opened a correspondence with the Raja, and endeavoured to win him over by promises and flattery, but without effect. When Dara came to a place twenty kos distant from Jodpur, he sent a Hindu named De Chand to the Raja; but he artfully replied that he remained true to his engagement, but that it was not expedient for him to move just then. Dara Shukoh, he said, should go to Ajmir, and open communications with other Rajputs. If two or three Rajputs of note joined him, then he, the Raja, would also come to his support. Dara Shukoh, having no other course open, proceeded to Ajmir, and again sent De Chand to Jaswant; but all his persuasions and remonstrances were in vain, and it was evident that all the Raja's statements were false and treacherous. The fact of his having received a letter of pardon from Aurangzeb was also publicly talked about. It has been said that "Necessity turns lions into foxes," and so Dara Shukoh, notwithstanding his knowledge of the Raja's perfidy, sent Sipihr Shukoh to him; but although the Prince flattered and persuaded, and held out great promises, the traitor did not listen, and the Prince, like De Chand, turned empty away. Deprived of all hope of assistance from Raja Jaswant, Dara Shukoh was at a loss what course to pursue. Then he heard of the near approach of Aurangzeb, and resolved to fight. But not deeming it expedient to fight a regular battle, he determined to retire into the hills about Ajmir, and to throw up lines of defence. Accordingly he moved into the defiles, blocked up the roads with barriers of stone and earth, and stationed his guns and musketeers so as to make his position secure. \* \* He himself took his station with the centre. \* \* Aurangzeb directed the commander of his artillery to advance his guns against Dara's lines. \* \* For three days most vigorous attacks were made, but Dara's position was very strong, and his men fought bravely, so that the assailants made no impression. Dara's forces indeed sallied out, and after causing considerable destruction of men and beasts, returned to their positions. The artillery practice of the assailants damaged only the defence works. On the fourth night Aurangzeb called around him some of his most trusty servants, and incited them by strong exhortations and promises to undertake an assault. \* \* Next day Aurangzeb sent Raja Rajrup, Zamindar of Jammu, with his infantry, against the rear of a hill, where an assault was not expected, and where the concentration of forces was thought to render it impossible. \* \* But he forced his way, and planted his banner on the summit of the hill. \* \* The success at the beginning of the battle was due to Raja Rajrup; but at last the victory was owing to the devotion of Shaikh Mir, and the intrepidity of Diler Khan Afghan, who attacked the lines held by Shah Nawaz Khan. Pride and shame so worked upon Shah Nawaz, that he gave up all hope of surviving, and died fighting most courageously. Dara Shukoh seeing the defeat of his army, and hearing of the death of Shah Nawaz Khan, seeing also the approach of his victorious foes, lost all sense and self-control, and fled with Sipihr Shukoh, Firoz Mewati, and some of the inmates of his harem, in great consternation and sorrow. Of all his nobles none accompanied him but the two above named. He managed to save some jewels and money, and with some of his women, his daughter, and a few attendants, he went off towards Ahmadabad. \* \* The fact of his flight was not known for certain until three hours after dark, and fighting went on in several parts of the lines until the flight of the enemy and the abandonment of the lines were ascertained. \* \* Raja Jai Singh and Bahadur were sent in command of a force in pursuit of Dara Shukoh. \* \* Aurangzeb made a short stay at Ajmir, and started from thence for the capital on the 4th Rajab, 1069. - [Previous: 25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.25) - [Next: 27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.27) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.26) · Pramāṇa