Muntakhab al-lubab 99: The Royal Princes.

99

Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah had gone to Kharpa (Kaddapa), to punish the rebels and to settle affairs. The insalubrity of the climate affected his health, and dropsy supervened. He returned to Court, and experienced physicians were appointed to attend him. * * His illness became so serious that his couch was placed near the chamber of the Emperor, who showed his paternal solicitude by administering his medicine, by partaking of food with him, and doing everything he could to restore him to health. God at length gave him a perfect cure.
Directions were now given for the release of Prince Shah 'Alam, who had been kept under restraint for seven years. * * His release was very annoying to Prince Muhammad A'zam and his partisans.
While Prince Shah 'Alam was in confinement, the Emperor had shown great favour to Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah, who considered himself to be the heir apparent. But now that the elder Prince was restored to full liberty, and to a greater share of attention than before, Prince Muhammad A'zam was much aggrieved. * * One day the King took the hand of Prince Shah 'Alam, and placed him on his right hand. * * Then he took the hand of Prince Muhammad A'zam, and made signs for him to sit down on his left. This greatly annoyed Prince Muhammad A'zam, and an open quarrel was imminent. * * After a time Prince Muhammad Mu'azzam, who had been entitled Shah 'Alam, was honoured with the title Bahadur Shah, and was sent to settle the affairs of Agra, and to punish the rebels in that quarter. * * Soon afterwards Prince Muhammad A'zam was ordered with his sons to Kabul, and Prince Mu'izzu-d din to Multan.