Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.14.4

2.14.4

but these very excellencies filled him with apprehension and distrust: for the Emir's great riches, and the reputation he possessed of being the prime mover in all affairs of importance, and the most acute statesman in India, left no doubt on the mind of Aureng-Zebe that the expectations of this extraordinary man were as high as those of Sultan Mahmoud. These considerations would have disconcerted an ordinary mind; but Aureng-Zebe knew how to remove these two personages to a distance from the court with so much address that neither the one nor the other felt any cause of complaint. He sent them at the head of a powerful army against Sultan Sujah, giving the Emir to understand not only that the valuable government of Bengale was intended for him during life, but that he should be succeeded therein by his son. He added that this was but one mark of the sense he entertained of his great services : when he had defeated Sujah he should be created Mir-ul-omrah [Amir-ul-Umara] ; the first and most honourable title in Hindoustan, signifying Prince of the Omrahs. To Sultan Mahmoud he addressed only these few words : ' Remember that you are the eldest of my children, and that you are going to fight your own battles. You have done much; and yet, properly speaking, you cannot be said to have done anything until the projects of Sultan Sujah be defeated, and you become master of his person : he is the most formidable of our adversaries.'