Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.3.9

2.3.9

Aureng-Zebe, ever intent upon projects of ambition, immediately adopted the measures proposed in this letter. He proceeded at once towards the territory of the King of Golkonda, and with such address was the plot conducted, that when the Prince reached Bag-naguer, no one doubted that this formidable body of horse accompanied an embassy from the Great Mogol. The King, as is usual on similar occasions, repaired to his garden for the purpose of receiving the pretended ambassador with appropriate ceremony and honour; and while unsuspiciously approaching his perfidious enemy, he was about to be seized by ten or twelve slaves — Georgians — as had been projected, when an Omrah, who was in the conspiracy, touched with sudden remorse and compassion, exclaimed, 'Your majesty is lost if you do not instantly fly; this is Aureng-Zebe, and no ambassador.' It would be superfluous to describe the King's consternation : he fled from the spot, and, mounting the first horse he could find, rode at full speed to the fortress of Golkonda, distant only a league from Bagnaguer.