Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.14.5

2.14.5

Aureng-Zebe then presented both the Emir and Sultan Mahmoud with the customary seraphas, or rich vests, a few horses and elephants, superbly caparisoned, and contrived to retain at court his son's wife (the King of Golconda's daughter) and Emir-Jemla's only son Mahmet Emir-kan; the former, because the presence of so distinguished a woman might embarrass the operations of the army ; the latter, because he was partial to the youth, and wished to superintend his education : but he viewed them doubtless in the light of hostages for the fidelity of the two commanders. Sultan Sujah was continually in dread that the Rajas of Lower Bengale, who had reason to complain of his exactions, would be excited to insurrection against his authority. He was, therefore, no sooner apprised of these arrangements than he broke up his camp at Elabas, and marched to Benares and Patna, and afterwards to Moguiere, a small town on the Ganges, commonly called the Key of the Kingdom of Bengale, forming a species of strait between the mountains and a forest which is contiguous to the town. He made this movement from an apprehension that it was meant to cut off his retreat, and that Emir- Jemla would cross the river either above or below Elabas. Intending to make a stand at Moguiere, he threw up fortifications and cut a deep trench (which I saw some years afterwards) extending from the town and the river to the mountains.