Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.17.8

2.17.8

A second council was consequently convened, and the question discussed, whether it were more expedient to conduct Dara to Goulaleor, agreeably to the original intention, or to put him to death without further delay. By some it was maintained that there was no reason for proceeding to extremities, and that the Prince might safely be taken to Goulaleor, provided he were attended with a strong escort : Danech-Mend-kan, although he and Dara had long been on bad terms, enforced this opinion with all his powers of argument : but it was ultimately decided that Dara should die, and that Sepe-Chekouh should be confined in Goulaleor. At this meeting Rauchenara-Begum betrayed all her enmity against her hapless brother, combating the arguments of Danech-Mend, and exciting Aureng-Zebe to this foul and unnatural murder. Her efforts were but too successfully seconded by Kalil-ullah-kan and Chah-hest-kan, both of them old enemies of Dara ; and by Takarub-kan, a wretched parasite recently raised to the rank of Omrah, and formerly a physician. He was originally distinguished by the appellation of Hakim Daoud, and had been compelled to fly from Persia. This man rendered himself conspicuous in the council by his violent harangue. 'Dara ought not to live,' he exclaimed; 'the safety of the State depends upon his immediate execution; and I feel the less reluctant to recommend his being put to death, because he has long since ceased to be a Musulman, and become a Kafer.