Muntakhab al-lubab 29.2

29.2

That forlorn fugitive, in sore distress, without baggage, and despoiled by plunderers, wandered on through the desert. In eight days' time he approached Ahmadabad. But the officials of the city * * proclaimed Aurangzeb, and took measures to prevent Dara from entering. The fugitive perceived that ill-fortune everywhere awaited him. He gave up all hope of getting possession of the city, and went to Kari, two kos from Ahmadabad. There he sought assistance from Kanji Koli, one of the most notorious rebels and robbers of that country. Kanji joined him, and conducted him through Gujarat to the confines of Kachh. Here he was joined by Gul Muhammad, whom he had made governor of Surat and Broach, and who brought with him fifty horse and two hundred matchlockmen. The zamindar of Kachh, when Dara lately passed through the country, entertained him, treated him with every respect, and affianced a daughter in marriage to his son, all in expectation of future advantage. Dara, in his distress, now looked to him for assistance; but he heeded not, and did not even show the courtesy of a visit. After two days spent in fruitless efforts to soften the zamindar, Dara, with tearful eyes and burning heart, resolved to proceed to Bhakkar.