Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.13.2

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.