Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.16.1

2.16.1

The miserable and devoted Dara, whose only chance of preservation was to regain Amed-Abad, was constrained to pass through a long range of what might be considered hostile territory, destitute of tents and baggage. The country between Asmire and Amed-Abad consists almost entirely of territories belonging to Rajas. The Prince was accompanied by two thousand men at most; the heat was intolerable; and the Koullys followed him day and night, pillaging and assassinating so many of his soldiers that it became dangerous to separate even a few yards from the main body. These Koullys are the peasantry of this part of the country, and are the greatest robbers, and altogether the most unprincipled people in the Indies. Notwithstanding every obstruction, Dara contrived to advance within a day's journey from Amed-Abad, expecting to enter the city on the following day, and to assemble an army; but the hopes of the vanquished and unfortunate are seldom realised. The Governor whom he had left in the castle of Amed-Abad, alarmed by the menaces, or allured by the promises of Aureng-Zebe, had basely deserted the cause of his master; and sent a letter to Dara by which he desired him not to advance nearer to the city, whose gates were shut, and whose inhabitants were armed to oppose his entrance. I had now been three days with Dara, whom I met on the road by the strangest chance imaginable;