Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.15.5

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;