Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.2.2

3.2.2

It was pretended by both these parties, and believed by the people, that the sole object they had in view was to set Chah-Jehan at liberty; but this was merely for the sake of gaining popularity, and to save appearances, in case he should be liberated by Etbar, or by means of any secret intrigues on the part of other grandees. There was in fact scarcely a person of rank or influence who entertained the wish of seeing Chah-Jehan restored to the throne. With the exception, perhaps, of Jessomseingue, Mohabet-kan, and a few others who had hitherto refrained from acting flagrantly against him, there was no Omrah who had not basely abandoned the cause of the legitimate Monarch, and taken an active part in favour of Aureng-Zebe. They were aware that to open his prison door would be to unchain an enraged lion. The possibility of such an event appalled the courtiers, and no one dreaded it more than Etbar, who had behaved to his wretched victim with unnecessary rudeness and severity. But Aureng-Zebe, notwithstanding his serious indisposition, continued to occupy his mind with the affairs of government, and the safe custody of his father. He earnestly advised Sultan Mazum, in the event of his death, to release the King from confinement; but he was constantly dictating letters to Etbar-kan, urging him to the faithful and rigid discharge of his duty;