Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.18
Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 2.18
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2.18.1
The charge of this atrocious murder was intrusted to a slave of the name of Nazer, who had been educated by Chah-Jehan, but experienced some ill-treatment from Dara. The Prince, apprehensive that poison would be administered to him, was employed with Sepe-Chekouh in boiling lentils, when Naser and four other ruffians entered his apartment. 'My dear son,' he cried out, 'these men are come to murder us!' He then seized a small kitchen knife, the only weapon in his possession. One of the murderers having secured Sepe-Chekouh, the rest fell upon Dara, threw him down, and while three of the assassins held him, Nazer decapitated his wretched victim. The head was instantly carried to Aureng-Zebe, who commanded that it should be placed in a dish, and that water should be brought. The blood was then washed from the face, and when it could no longer be doubted that it was indeed the head of Dara, he shed tears, and said, 'Ah [Ai] Bed-bakt! Ah wretched one! let this shocking sight no more offend my eyes, but take away the head, and let it be buried in Houmayons tomb.'
2.18.2
Dara's daughter was taken that same evening to the seraglio, but afterwards sent to Chah-Jehan and Begum-Saheb; who begged of Aureng-Zebe to commit the young Princess to their care. Dara's wife, foreseeing the calamities which awaited her and her husband, had already put a period to her existence, by swallowing poison at Lahor. Sepe-Chekouh was immured in the fortress of Goulaleor; and soon after these tragical events Gion-kan was summoned before the council, and then dismissed from Dehli with a few presents. He did not escape the fate, however, which he merited, being waylaid and assassinated in a forest, within a few leagues of his own territory. This barbarian had not sufficiently reflected, that though tyrants appear to countenance the blackest crimes while they conduce to their interest, or promote a favourite object, they yet hold the perpetrators in abhorrence, and will not scruple to punish them when they can no longer be rendered subservient to any iniquitous project. In the mean time, the brave governor of Tata-bakar was compelled to surrender the place, an order for its immediate surrender, exacted from Dara himself, having been sent to the faithful eunuch; who insisted, however, on honourable terms of capitulation. The perfidious enemy, intending to violate every promise, readily assented to the conditions proposed, and Mir-Baba was admitted into the town.
2.18.3
The governor proceeded to Lahor, where he and the feeble remains of his intrepid garrison were miserably slaughtered by Kalil-ullah-kan, who commanded in that city. The reason for this atrocious act was, that although the eunuch professed his intention of visiting the King at Dehli, to gratify the desire expressed by Aureng-Zebe to converse with so brave a soldier, yet he really meditated a rapid march to Serenaguer, with all his followers, for the purpose of making common cause with Soliman-Chekouh. Among these followers (many of whom were Franks) he distributed money with a liberal hand. Of Dara's family, there now remained only Soliman-Chekouh, whom it would not have been easy to draw from Sereftaguer, if the Raja had been faithful to his engagements. But the intrigues of Jessemgue, the promises and threats of Aureng-Zebe, the death of Dara, and the hostile preparations of the neighbouring Rajas, shook the resolution of this pusillanimous protector. Soliman-Chekouk felt that he was no longer in safety, and endeavoured to reach Great Tibet. His route lay across the most dreary country, consisting of nothing but sterile and mountainous tracts. He was pursued by the Raja's son, overtaken and wounded; and being conveyed to Dehli, was shut up in Selim-guer, the fortress in which Morad-Bakche was imprisoned. Aureng-Zebe acted upon this occasion as he had done in the case of Dara.
2.18.4
That Soliman-Chekouk's identity might be established, the King commanded that he should be brought into the presence of all the courtiers. I could not repress my curiosity, and witnessed the whole of this dismal scene. The fetters were taken from the Prince's feet before he entered the chamber wherein the Omrahs were assembled, but the chains, which were gilt, remained about his hands. Many of the courtiers shed tears at the sight of this interesting young man, who was tall and extremely handsome. The principal ladies of the court had permission to be present, concealed behind a lattice-work, and were also greatly moved. Aureng-Zebe, too, affected to deplore the fate of his nephew, and spoke to him with apparent kindness. 'Be comforted,' the King told him; 'no harm shall befall you. You shall be treated with tenderness. God is great, and you should put your trust in him. Dara, your father, was not permitted to live only because he had become a Kafer, a man devoid of all religion.' Whereupon the Prince made the salaam, or sign of grateful acknowledgment, lowering his hands to the ground, and lifting them, as well as he was able, to his head, according to the custom of the country. He then told the King, with much self-possession, that if it were intended to give him the poust to drink, he begged he might be immediately put to death.
2.18.5
Aureng-Zebe promised in a solemn manner, and in a loud voice, that this drink should most certainly not be administered, and that his mind might be perfectly easy. The Prince was then required to make a second salaam; and when a few questions had been put to him, by the King's desire, concerning the elephant laden with golden roupies, which had been taken from him during his retreat to Serenaguer, he was taken out of the chamber, and conducted on the following day to Goualeor, with the others. This poust is nothing but poppy-heads crushed, and allowed to soak for a night in water. This is the potion generally given to Princes confined in the fortress of Goualeor, whose heads the Monarch is deterred by prudential reasons from taking off. A large cup of this beverage is brought to them early in the mornings and they are not given anything to eat until it be swallowed; they would sooner let the prisoner die of hunger. This drink emaciates the wretched victims; who lose their strength and intellect by slow degrees, become torpid and senseless, and at length die. It is said that it was by this means, that Sepe-Chekouh, the grandchild of Morad-Bakche, and Soliman-Chekouh, were sent out of the world.
2.18.6
Morad-Bakche was put to death in a more violent and open manner. Though in prison, he was yet very popular, and verses were continually composed in praise of his courage and conduct. Aureng-Zebe, therefore, did not deem it safe to make away with him in secret, by the poust, as the others were; fearing that there would always be some doubt whether he had been really put to death or not, and that this uncertainty might some day be used as a pretext for an uprising, the following charge, they say, was brought up against him. At the period when Morad-Bakche was making extensive preparations for war, in his government of Guzarate he put to death a certain Sayed at Amed-Abad, that he might obtain possession of his great wealth. The children of the murdered Sayed now presented themselves in open court, calling loudly for justice, and demanding the head of Morad-Bakche. No Omrah would venture to reprove or silence this procedure; both because the person whose innocent blood had been shed was a Sayed, or descendant of the prophet Mahomet, to whom unbounded veneration is due, and because it could not but be evident to every person that this was a mode designed by the King to rid himself of a dangerous rival under the cloak of justice. The demand of the sons was granted, and without any other form of process, an order for the head of the murderer was given, with which they immediately repaired to Gualeor.
2.18.7
There now existed only one member of his family who created anxiety or apprehension in the mind of Aureng-Zebe, and this was Sultan Sujah. Hitherto he had displayed much resolution and vigour, but now felt the necessity of yielding to the power and fortune of his brother. Reinforcements continued to be sent to Emir-Jemla, until the Prince, encompassed on all sides, was compelled to fly for his personal safety to Daki, which is the last town in Bengale, on the borders of the sea ; and this ends the whole tragedy. The Prince being destitute of ships to put to sea, and not knowing whither to fly for refuge, sent his eldest son, Sultan Banque, to the King of Racan, or Mog, a Gentile or idolater, to ascertain if he would grant him a temporary asylum, and a passage to Moka, when the favourable season arrived ; it being his wish to proceed thence to Meca, and afterward take up his residence in Turkey or Persia. The King's answer was in the affirmative, and expressed in the kindest terms. Sultan Banque returned to Daki with a large number of galeasses (as they call the half galleys of this King) manned by Franks, for so I would designate those fugitive Portuguese, and other wandering Christians, who had entered into the King's service, and whose chief occupation was to ravage this part of Lower Bengale. On board these vessels, Sultan Sujah embarked with his family, consisting of his wife, his three sons and his daughters.
2.18.8
The King [of Arakan] gave them a tolerable reception, and supplied them with every necessary of life. Month after month passed ; the favourable season arrived, but no mention was made of vessels to convey them to Moka, although Sultan Sujah required them on no other terms than the payment of the hire ; for he yet wanted not roupies of gold and silver, or gems. He had indeed too great a plenty of them : his great wealth being probably the cause of, or at least very much contributing to, his ruin. These barbarous kings are devoid of true generosity, and little restrained by any promises which they have made. Seldom guided by considerations of good faith, their present interest is the sole guide of their conduct, and they appear insensible of the mischief which may accrue to themselves from their perfidiousness and cruelty. To escape out of their hands, either you must have nothing to tempt their avarice, or you must be possessed of superior strength. It was in vain that Sultan Sujah evinced the utmost solicitude to depart for Moka; the King turned a deaf ear to his entreaties; became cool and uncivil, and reproached the Prince for not visiting him. I know not whether Sultan Sujah considered it beneath his dignity to associate with him, or whether he apprehended that his person would be seized, and his treasure plundered, if he ventured into the palace.
2.18.9
Emir-Jemla had offered the King, in the name of Aureng-Zebe, large sums of money, and other considerable advantages, on condition of his delivering up the Prince. Though Sultan Sujah would not himself venture into the royal residence, yet he sent his son, Sultan Banque, who, as he approached the palace, bestowed largesse to the people, throwing among them half roupies, and also whole roupies, both of gold and silver; and, when he came before the King, presented him with various rich brocades and rare pieces of goldsmith's work, set with precious stones of great value; and apologising for the unavoidable absence of his father, who was indisposed, entreated the King to remember the vessel and the promise which he had made.