Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.13
Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 2.13
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2.13.1
The army submitted to this new order of things, with the exception of the eunuch Chah-Abas, who occasioned much trouble. Aureng-Zebe received the troops lately under the command of Morad-Bakche into his service; and resumed the pursuit of Dara, who was advancing with the utmost expedition on Lahor, with the intention of fortifying himself in that city, and rendering it the rendezvous for his friends and adherents. But he was pressed so closely by his eager enemy, that he found it impossible to fortify that position: he, therefore, continued his retreat on the road to Moultan; but here again the vigour of his brothers movements disappointed any expectation he might have formed of maintaining that post. Nothing, indeed, could exceed the ardour and activity of Aureng-Zebe. Notwithstanding the great heat of the weather, his army marched day and night; and, with a view of encouraging the troops, he was often two or three leagues in advance, nearly unattended. Nor did he fare better than the private men: his meal consisted of dry bread and impure water, and his bed was the bare ground.
2.13.2
Dara is blamed by the statesmen of this country for not having taken the route to the kingdom of Caboul when he abandoned Lahor. He was strongly advised to adopt that course, and his reasons for refusing such sage counsel must always be enigmatical. The governor of Caboul was Mohabet-kan, one of the most ancient and powerful Omrahs of Hindoustan, who had never been on friendly terms with Aureng-Zebe; and there were assembled in that kingdom above ten thousand troops destined to act against the Augans, the Persians, and the Usbecs. Dara was amply supplied with money, and there can be little doubt that the military force of that country and Mohabet-kan himself would willingly have espoused his cause. It should also be observed that in Caboul, Dara would have been on the borders of Persia and Usbec, from which countries he might have derived considerable support. He ought indeed to have recollected how Houmayon was restored to his kingdom by the power of the Persians, notwithstanding the opposition of Zaher-kan, king of the Patans, by whom he had been expelled. But it was generally the fate of the unhappy Dara to undervalue the opinions of the wisest counsellors; and upon this occasion, instead of throwing himself into Caboul, he proceeded towards Scindy, and sought refuge in the fortress of Tatta-bakar, that strong and celebrated place situated in the middle of the river Indus.
2.13.3
When Aureng-Zebe knew the point on which Dara was directing his retreat, he felt it quite unnecessary to continue the pursuit. Having ascertained that Caboul was not within the plan of his brother's operations, his mind was relieved from any serious apprehension; and sending only seven or eight thousand men under the command of Mir-baba, his foster-brother, to watch the movements of Dara, he retraced his steps towards Agra with the same expedition he had used in the pursuit of his brother. His mind, indeed, was harassed by fears of what might happen in the capital during his absence: some of the powerful Rajas, such as Jesseingue or Jessomseingue, would, perhaps, he thought, release Chah-Jehan from prison; Soliman-Chekouh, and the Raja of Se श्रीनगर might descend as a torrent from their mountains; or, finally, Sultan Sujah would now probably venture to approach Agra. A slight incident now occurred, which, as it was occasioned by it, may serve to give an idea of Aureng-Zebe's precipitate mode of acting. While on his return from Moultan to Lahor, and when marching with his accustomed rapidity, he was astonished to see the Raja Jesseingue at the head of four or five thousand well-appointed Ragipous, advancing towards him. Aureng-Zebe had, as usual, preceded his army; and being aware of the Raja's strong attachment to Chah-Jehan, it may easily be imagined that he considered his situation one of extreme peril.
2.13.4
It was natural for him to conclude that Jesseingue would seize upon so happy an occasion and by a coup d'etat at once rescue his venerated sovereign from the iniquitous thraldom under which he groaned, and inflict condign punishment upon the unfeeling son from whom he had experienced so much unprovoked outrage and cruelty. It is, indeed, conjectured that the Raja undertook this expedition with no other design than the capture of Aureng-Zebe, and there appears ground for the opinion from the fact of his having been met on the road leading from Lahor to Moultan, when the information just before received by the Prince left no doubt upon his mind that the Raja was still at Dehli; with such astonishing speed had he conducted this long march! But the self-possession of Aureng-Zebe and his decision of character carried him safely through the impending danger. He betrayed no symptom of agitation or alarm, but assuming a countenance expressive of pleasure at the sight of the Raja, rode directly toward him, making signs with his hand for him to hasten his pace, and calling out, 'Salamet bached Raja-gi! Salamet bached Baba-gi!' Thus hailing him as 'My Lord Raja! My Lord Father!' When the Raja approached, he said: I cannot describe how impatiently I have waited to see you. The war is at an end: Dara is ruined and wanders alone. I have sent Mir-Baba after the fugitive ;
2.13.5
he cannot possibly escape.' He then took off his pearl necklace, and, as an act of the utmost courtesy and condescension, placed it round the neck of the Raja. 'My army is fatigued, I am anxious you should immediately proceed to Lahor, for I am apprehensive of some movement there. I appoint you Governor of the city, and commit all things to your hands. I shall soon join you ; but before we part, I cannot avoid returning my thanks for your manner of disposing of Soliman-Chekouh. Where have you left Delil-kan? I shall know how to punish him. Hasten to Lahor, Salamet Backesi, Farewell!' Dara, when arrived at Tata-bakar, nominated an eunuch distinguished for his intelligence and resolution, Governor of the fortress, and formed an excellent garrison of Patans, and Sayeds, and as gunners, a number of Portuguese, English, French, and Germans. These Europeans were employed in the artillery, and had been induced by his magnificent promises to enter into the Prince's service. In the event of his ascending the throne, it was intended to promote them to the rank of Omrahs, even although they were Franks. Depositing his treasure in the fortress, for he still possessed a large quantity of gold and silver, Dara pursued his march without delay along the banks of the Indus towards Scindy, at the head of but two or three thousand men ;
2.13.6
and traversing with incredible speed the territories of the Raja Katche, soon reached the province of Guzarate, and presented himself before the gates of Amed-Abad. The Governor of the city was Chah-Navaze-kan, the father-in-law of Aureng-Zebe, descended from the ancient Princes of Machale [Mascate], a man of no military reputation, but accomplished, polite, and addicted to pleasure. The city of Amed-Abad contained a strong garrison, and was in a condition to oppose a vigorous resistance; but whether from failure of courage in the governor, or from his having been taken by surprise, the gates were opened to Dara and he was received by Chah-Navaze with every mark of honour. It seems indeed that this man was so assiduous in paying court to Dara, that he succeeded in impressing his mind with an opinion of his devotedness and esteem; and although warned of his treacherous character, the deluded Prince had the imprudence to confide in the governor's professions, communicating to him the whole of his plans, and showing him the letters from the Raja Jessomseingue, and several other faithful adherents, who were making preparations to join him with all the forces they could muster.
2.13.7
Aureng-Zebe was equally surprised and perplexed when he heard that Dara was master of Amed-Abad. He knew that his pecuniary resources were still considerable, and he could entertain no doubt that not only his brother's friends, but malcontents from all parts, would flock around his standard. He was not insensible of the importance of following Dara in person and dislodging him from so advantageous a position: but at the same time he saw the danger of withdrawing so far from Agra and Chah-Jehan, and of marching his army into provinces which comprehended the territories of Jesseingue, Jessomseingue, and other powerful Rajas. His attention was also distracted by the rapid advance of Sultan Sujah — then near Elabas — with a powerful army, and by the preparations which he understood were being made by Soliman-Chekouh in conjunction with the Raja of Serenaguer to take an active part in the war. He was placed in a critical and intricate situation; but his best course, he thought, was to leave Dara for the present with Chah-Navaze-kan, and to march toward Sultan Sujah, who had already crossed the Ganges at Elabas. Sultan Sujah encamped at a small village called Kadjouë, a situation which on account of a large talab, or reservoir of water, was judiciously chosen. There he determined to await the attack of Aureng-Zebe, who, on bringing up his army, took up a position on the banks of a small river, distant about a league and a half.
2.13.8
Between the two armies was a spacious plain well adapted for them to engage. Aureng-Zebe felt impatient to finish the contest, and on the day after his arrival, leaving his baggage on the other side of the river, proceeded to the attack. The Emir-Jemla, erstwhile prisoner in the Decan, joined him on the morning of the action with the forces he could collect; the flight of the unhappy Dara having released his wife and children from captivity, and his own imprisonment being no longer necessary to the promotion of Aureng-Zebes designs. The battle was warmly contested, and the efforts of the assailants were almost incredible; but Sultan Sujah maintained his ground, repulsing every assault with great slaughter, and increasing Aureng-Zebes embarrassment by steadily adhering to his plan of not advancing into the plain. To defend the advantageous and well-fortified position he had selected was for the present his sole object, foreseeing that the heat of the weather would very soon compel his enemy to retreat to the river, and that it would then be the time to fall with effect upon his rear-guard. Aureng-Zebe was very sensible of the reasons which actuated his brother, and became the more intent on pressing forward. But a new and unexpected source of uneasiness now presented itself.
2.13.9
He was informed that the Raja Jessomseingue, who had, with apparent sincerity, entered into terms of amity, had fallen suddenly upon the rear-guard, routed and put it to flight, and that he was now employed in pillaging the baggage and treasure. The news soon spread; and as is common in Asiatic armies, the fears of the soldiers multiplied the danger. But Aureng-Zebe did not lose his presence of mind, and being aware that retreat would be ruinous to his hopes, he determined, as at the battle with Dara, not to recede, but await with firmness the progress of events. The disorder spread more and more among the troops, and Sultan Sujah availing himself of so unlooked-for an opportunity, commenced a furious attack. An arrow killed the man who guided Aureng-Zebe's elephant; the animal became unmanageable, and the danger growing more appalling, he was about to dismount, when Emir-Jemla, who was near him, and whose conduct the whole of this day excited the admiration of every beholder, ejaculated with a loud voice, Decankou! Decankou! (where is the Decan?) and prevented him from accomplishing his fatal purpose. Aureng-Zebe was now to all appearance reduced to the last extremity: his situation seemed irremediable, and he was every moment expecting to fall into the enemy's hands. Yet such is the caprice of fortune, that he was in a few minutes crowned with victory; and Sultan Sujah was obliged, like Dara at the battle of Samonguer, to fly for his life.