Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.4.5

2.4.5

It was evident to Dara that to send troops to the Decan was in effect to increase, by so many men, the strength of Aureng-Zebe. He opposed the measure, therefore, with many arguments and entreaties, and by every art he could devise. Finding it, however, impossible to move Chah-Jehan from his purpose, he persuaded him to impose certain conditions, by which Aureng-Zebe should engage to abstain from all interference in the conduct of the war; fix his residence at Daulet-Abad; confine his attention to the government of the Decan; and also that the Emir should retain the absolute and undivided command of the army: leaving the whole of his family at court, as hostages for his fidelity. This last clause was extremely offensive to Jemla; but Chah-Jehan prevailed with him to yield compliance, assuring him that this stipulation was intended only to satisfy the caprice of his son, Dara, and that he should soon be followed by his wife and children. The Emir put himself at the head of a fine army, with which he marched into the Decan: and without tarrying in that country, entered Visapour, commencing his operations with the siege of Kaliane, a place of considerable strength.