Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.15
Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 2.15
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- English
2.15.1
During the interval there arose a serious disagreement between Sultan Mahmoud and Emir-Jemla. The former aspired to the absolute and undivided command of the army, and behaved to the latter with studied insolence and contempt. He even allowed expressions to escape him that denoted a total disregard of the affection and respect due to his father; spoke openly of his achievement in the fortress of Agra, and boasted that it was to him Aureng-Zebe should feel indebted for his crown. He was at length informed of the anger he had excited in his father's breast ; and fearing lest the Emir should receive orders to seize his person, he withdrew attended by very few followers, and retiring towards Sultan Sujah made that Prince a tender of his services. But Sujah, suspecting this to be a device of Aureng-Zebe and of Emir-Jemla to entrap him, placed no confidence in his splendid promises, or in his oaths of undeviating constancy. He, therefore, intrusted him with no command of importance, and kept an eye upon his conduct. Sultan Mahmoud was soon disgusted with this treatment, and, after the absence of a few months, in despair of what might befall him, abandoned his new master, and ventured to appear in Jemla's presence. The Emir received him with some degree of courtesy, promising to intercede with Aureng-Zebe in his behalf, and persuade him to pardon this great transgression.
2.15.2
Many persons have told me that all this strange conduct of Sultan Mahmoud was planned by Aureng-Zebe, who was very willing to see his son engage in any enterprise, however hazardous, which had for its object the ruin of Sultan Sujah. Whatever the event might be, he hoped to gain some specious pretext for having Sultan Mahmoud conveyed to a place of security. Accordingly, when informed of his son's return, feeling, or feigning to feel, the utmost indignation, he sent a letter, commanding him in peremptory terms to repair to Dehli. The unhappy Prince dared not disobey ; but he had scarcely set foot on the opposite shore of the Ganges, when a company of armed men seized and forced him into an embary, as had been Morad-Bakche, he was then conducted to Goualeor, in which fortress he will probably end his days. Having thus disposed of his eldest son, Aureng-Zebe advised his second son, Sultan Mazum, not to imitate the lofty and unyielding spirit of his brother. 'The art of reigning,' he told him, 'is so delicate, that a King's jealousy should be awakened by his very shadow. Be wise, or a fate similar to that which has befallen your brother awaits you. Indulge not the fatal delusion that Aureng-Zebe may be treated by his children as was Jehan-Guyre by his son Chah-Jehan; or that, like the latter, he will permit the sceptre to fall from his hand.'
2.15.3
Here, however, I may observe that, judging from the whole tenor of Sultan Mazum's conduct, his father has no reason to suspect him of any evil design: the most abject slave cannot be more tractable or obsequious; nor is it possible that the language and behaviour of the lowest menial should discover less of the workings of a discontented and ambitious mind. Aureng-Zebe never appeared more careless of power and dignity, or more devoted to the cause of religion and charity. There are many shrewd persons, however, who believe that the father's character is, in every respect, the archetype of the son's, and that the heart of Sultan Mazum is set upon sovereign authority, of which we may have proof in due course ; meanwhile let us pass on to other occurrences. Whilst all these events were happening in Bengale, Sultan Sujah resisted, to the best of his ability, his skilful opponent, passed, as he judged it expedient, from one bank of the Ganges to the other, crossing and recrossing the rivers and water-courses with which this part of the country abounds. Meanwhile, Aureng-Zebe remained in the neighbourhood of Agra. At length, after having consigned Morad-Bakche to Goualeor, he went to Dehli, where he began in good earnest, and undisguisedly, to assume all the acts, and exercise all the prerogatives, of a legitimate King. His attention was principally engaged in the formation of plans for expelling Dara from Guzarate;
2.15.4
an object very near his heart, but, for the reasons already stated, difficult of accomplishment. Nevertheless, his extraordinary skill and continued good-fortune overcame every impediment. Jeisomseingue had no sooner returned to his own country than he employed the treasure plundered at the battle of Kadjouë in raising a strong army. He then informed Dara that he would join him with all his forces on the road leading to Agra, on which city he advised him to march without delay. The Prince had himself contrived to assemble a large number of troops, though not perhaps of the choicest description : and being sanguine in his expectation that as he approached the capital, accompanied by this distinguished Raja, his friends would be encouraged to crowd around his standard, he quitted Ahmed-Abad and hastened to Asmire, a city seven or eight days' journey from Agra. But Jessomseingue violated his promise. The Raja Jesseingue considering that the chances of war were decidedly in favour of Aureng-Zebe and that it was his best policy to conciliate that Prince, exercised his influence with Jessomseingue to deter him from espousing the cause of Dara. 'What can be your inducement,' he wrote to him, 'to endeavour to sustain the falling fortunes of this prince? Perseverance in such an undertaking must inevitably bring ruin upon you and your family, without advancing the interests of the wretched Dara. From Aureng-Zebe you will never obtain forgiveness.
2.15.5
I, who am also a Raja, conjure you to spare the blood of the Ragipous. Do not buoy yourself up with the hope of drawing the other rajas to your party; for I have means to counteract any such attempt. This is a business which concerns all the Indous (that is to say all the Gentiles), and you cannot be permitted to kindle a flame that would soon rage throughout the kingdom, and which no effort might be able to extinguish. If, on the other hand, you leave Dara to his own resources, Aureng-Zebe will bury all the past in oblivion; will not reclaim the money you obtained at Kadjouë, but will at once nominate you to the government of Guzarate. You can easily appreciate the advantage of ruling a province so contiguous to your own territories: there you will remain in perfect quiet and security, and I hereby offer you my guarantee for the exact fulfilment of all I have mentioned.' To be brief, Jessomseingue was persuaded to remain at home, while Aureng-Zebe advanced with the whole of his army on Asmire, and encamped within view of Dara. Who that reads this history can repress an emotion of pity for the misguided and betrayed Dara? He now discovered the bad faith of Jessomseingue; but it was too late to provide against its fatal consequences. Willingly would he have conducted the army back to Amed-Abad, but how could he hope to effect this desirable object in the midst of the hot season, and during the drought that then prevails;
2.15.6
having a march of five-and-thirty days to accomplish through the territories of Rajas, friends or allies of Jessomseingue, and closely pressed by the eager Aureng-Zebe at the head of a fresh and numerous army? 'It is better,' he said, 'to die at once the death of a soldier; the contest is sadly unequal, but on this spot I must conquer or perish.' He did not, however, comprehend the full extent of his danger: treason was lurking where he least expected it; and he continued to confide in the perfidious Chah-Navaze-kan, who kept up a regular correspondence with Aureng-Zebe, putting him in possession of all Daras designs. As a just retribution for his faithlessness, this man was slain in the battle, either by the hand of Dara himself, or, as is thought more probable, by the swords of persons in Aureng-Zebe's army, who, being the secret partisans of Dara, felt apprehensive that Chah-Navaze-kan would denounce them, and make mention of the letters they had been in the habit of writing to that Prince. But what now availed the death of the traitor? It was from the first moment of his taking possession of Ahmedabad that Dara ought to have listened to the sage advice of his best friends and treated Chah-Navaze with the contempt and distrust he merited.
2.15.7
The action commenced between nine and ten in the morning. Daras artillery, which was advantageously placed on a small eminence, made noise enough; but the pieces, it is supposed, were charged only with blank cartridges, so widely was the treachery extended. It is unnecessary to enter into any particular detail of this battle, if battle it should be called; it was soon a complete rout. I shall simply state that the first shot was scarcely fired when Jesseingue, placing himself within sight of Dara, sent an officer to inform him that if he wished to avoid capture he must instantly quit the field. The poor Prince, seized with sudden fear and surprise, acted upon this advice, and flew with so much precipitation that he gave no directions concerning his baggage: indeed, considering the critical situation in which he was placed, he had reason to congratulate himself on being allowed time to secure his wife and family. It is certain that he was in the power of Jesseingue, and that it was to his forbearance he was indebted for his escape: but the Raja, aware of the danger that would attend any insult offered to a Prince of the blood, has upon all occasions shown respect to every branch of the Royal family.