Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.11.4

2.11.4

he was quickly followed by his men, who overcame the unsuspecting garrison, and made themselves masters of the fortress. If ever man was astonished, that man was Chah-Jehan when he perceived that he had fallen into the trap he had prepared for others, that he himself was a prisoner, and Aureng-Zebe in possession of the fort. It is said that the unhappy Monarch sent at once a message to Sultan Mahmoud, promising, on his crown and the Koran, to nominate him King, provided he served him faithfully in this conjuncture. 'Come to me,' added the Mogol, 'and lose not this opportunity of delivering your grandfather from prison; an act which will obtain for you the blessing of heaven, and a glorious name that shall never die.' If Sultan Mahmoud had possessed sufficient daring to close with these proposals, it appears extremely probable that he might have supplanted his father. Chah-Jehan's influence was still powerful, and if he had been permitted to leave the citadel, and to assume the personal command of the troops, I have reason to believe that they would have acknowledged his authority, and the leading Omrahs remained faithful to his government. Aureng-Zebe would not himself have been bold or savage enough to fight against his own father in person, especially as he must have thought that he would have been abandoned by every one, possibly by Morad-Bakche himself.