Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.5
Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 2.5
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2.5.1
Aureng-Zebe also published his proclamations, and put his forces in motion, much at the same time as Sultan Sujah. He, too, was meditating an advance on Agra when he received a similar prohibition, both from the King and from Dara ; the latter of whom menaced him with punishment if he quitted the Decan. He dissembled, however, like his brother of Bengale, and returned a similar answer ; but as his finances were not abundant, and his army was comparatively small, he endeavoured to obtain by fraud what he could not hope to gain by arms. The immediate dupes of his artifice were Morad-Bakche and Emir-Jemla. In a letter to the former he said : — ' I need not remind you, my brother, how repugnant to my real disposition are the toils of government. While Dara and Sultan Sujah are tormented with a thirst for dominion, I sigh only for the life of a Fakire. But, although renouncing all claim to the kingdom, I nevertheless consider myself bound to impart my sentiments to you, my friend, whom I have always tenderly loved. Dara is not only incapable of reigning, but is utterly unworthy of the throne, inasmuch as he is a Kafer — an idolater — and held in abhorrence by all the great Omrahs. Sultan Sujah is equally undeserving the crown; for being avowedly a Rafezy — an heretic — he is of course an enemy to Hindoustan. Will you then permit me to say that in you alone are to be found the qualifications for ruling a mighty empire? This opinion is not adopted by myself only;
2.5.2
it is likewise entertained by the leading nobles, who esteem you for your matchless valour, and are anxious for your arrival in the capital. With respect to myself, if I can exact a solemn promise from you that, when king, you will suffer me to pass my life in some sequestered spot of your dominions, where I may offer up my constant prayers to heaven in peace, and without molestation, I am prepared immediately to make common cause with you, to aid you with my counsel and my friends, and to place the whole of my army at your disposal. I send you one hundred thousand roupies, of which I entreat your acceptance, as an earnest of my best wishes. The time is critical: you should, therefore, not lose one moment in taking possession of the castle of Sourate, where I know the vast treasure of the State to be deposited.'
2.5.3
Morad-Bakche, whose wealth and power were comparatively limited, received his brother's proposals, accompanied as they were by so large a sum, with great delight, and was beyond measure elated at the prospect which now presented itself to him. The letter was everywhere exhibited, in expectation that the young men would be induced by its contents to enter with cheerfulness into his army, and that it might dispose the opulent merchants more willingly to lend the large sums he was exacting with undeviating rigour. He now assumed all the consequence and authority of a king; was profuse in his promises, and contrived everything so successfully that he soon collected a pretty numerous army. From this army it was his first care to detach three thousand men, under the command of Chah-Abas, a eunuch, but a valiant soldier, to lay siege to the castle of Souraie.
2.5.4
Aureng-Zebe next turned his thoughts on Emir-Jemla. He sent to him his eldest son Sultan Mahmoud (whom he had married to the King of Golkonda's daughter), with a request that he would come to him at Daulet-Abad, as he had intelligence of the greatest importance to impart. The Emir was at no loss to divine the nature of this intelligence, and refused to quit his army which was still engaged in the siege of Kaliane; alleging that he had recently received tidings from Agra, and could assure Sultan Mahmoud that Chah-Jehan was not dead. In no case, however, could he think of co-operating with Aureng-Zebe, while his wife and children were in Dara's power: his determination was fixed; he would not be a party in the present quarrel. Finding it impossible to accomplish the object of his mission, Sultan Mahmoud returned to Daulet-Abad, extremely displeased with the Emir; but Aureng-Zebe, no way discouraged, sent another message by his second son, Sultan Mazum, who conducted his mission with so much address and urbanity, and made such protestations of friendship, that Emir-Jemla could not withstand the force of his solicitations. He vigorously prosecuted the siege of Kaliane, and having forced the garrison to capitulate, hastened to Daulet-Abad with the flower of his army. Aureng-Zebe received Emir-Jemla with the strongest professions of kindness, calling him 'Baba' and 'Babagy' [Bába Jí] — 'Father,' and 'My Lord Father.' He embraced his welcome visitor a hundred times;
2.5.5
and taking him aside, addressed him thus: — 'I acknowledge the force of the objection made by you to Sultan Mahmoud, and it is the opinion of my friends at court, who are men of judgment, that it would be extremely imprudent, while your family are in the hands of Dara, to stir openly in my favour, or even to manifest the slightest disposition to promote the interest of my cause. But it is not for me to inform you that there are few difficulties which may not be overcome. A scheme has occurred to my mind, which, though at first it may surprise you, will, I doubt not, on reflection, appear to you well calculated to ensure the safety of your family. Suffer yourself to be confined in prison; it will have the effect of imposing upon the world, and we shall reap all the success we can desire from this plan: for who will ever imagine that a person of your rank could tamely submit to incarceration? In the mean time, I can employ a part of your troops in any manner you think fit; and you will not perhaps refuse, in furtherance of our project, to supply me with a sum of money, according to the offer you have so repeatedly made. With these troops, and this money, I may safely try my fortune. Allow me, therefore, to conduct you to the fortress of Daulet-Abad, where you will be guarded by one of my sons;
2.5.6
we may then deliberate upon the means to be pursued, and I cannot conceive how any suspicion should arise in the mind of Dara, or how he can reasonably ill-treat the wife and children of one who is apparently my enemy.'
2.5.7
I have authority for stating that such was substantially the language used by Aureng-Zebe. The considerations which dictated the Emir's answer to these strange propositions are not now so well known. It is certain, however, that he complied with them, that he consented to place the troops under Aureng-Zebe's orders, to lend him money, and, what is even more extraordinary, to be conducted to the fortress of Daulet-Abad. Some have thought that Emir-Jemla was really allured by the solemn assurance of advantages to be derived from his acquiescence, and that he was likewise influenced by the recollection of those vows of ardent and indissoluble friendship which had been so frequently interchanged between him and Aureng-Zebe. Others there are who, perhaps with more reason, believe that fear forbade him to withhold his assent, as the two sons of Aureng-Zebe, Sultan Masum and Sultan Mahmoud, were present at the conference; the former completely armed, and assuming a look that could not be mistaken; the latter indulging in unseemly grimaces, after having raised his arm in a manner which implied an intention of proceeding to violence: for the pride of this Prince was mortified because his brother's mission had been attended with better success than his own, and he was at no pains to conceal his resentment.
2.5.8
When the imprisonment of Emir-Jemla became known that portion of the army which had been brought from Visapour demanded aloud the release of their commander, and would soon have opened the door of his prison, if they had not been appeased by the arts of Aureng-Zebe, who intimated to the superior officers that the Emir's confinement was quite voluntary, and a part, in fact, of a scheme understood between themselves. He was, besides, lavish of his presents: he promised advancement to the officers, and increased the pay of the private soldiers; giving them at once three months' advance as a pledge of his liberal intentions.
2.5.9
In this manner the troops lately under Jemla's command were persuaded to take part in the campaign meditated by Aureng-Zebe, who thus soon found himself in a condition to take the field. He first marched in the direction of Sourate for the purpose of accelerating the fall of that place, which persevered in a vigorous and unexpected resistance; but a few days after his army had been put in motion he received news of the surrender of that town. He then despatched a congratulatory letter to Morad-Bakche; made him acquainted with all that had passed with Emir-Jemla; told him he was now at the head of a formidable force; that he possessed abundance of money; that his understanding with the principal courtiers was complete; and that he was fully prepared to proceed towards Brampour and Agra. He then urged him to hasten his march, and he fixed the place for the junction of the two armies.