Storia do Mogor 113: Embassy from Basrah.
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 113
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113
The embassy from Basrah made no great stir, although the Prince of Basrah sent his congratulations on Aurangzeb's accession, along with several very handsome Arab horses, which are much esteemed. But the chief object of the embassy was the sending of other Arab horses for sale, and to buy cloth and piece goods without having to pay dues either on entry or export, which is the usual liberty allowed to ambassadors. This embassy, on receiving its farewell interview, was paid its expenses. Nothing more was said of them beyond their having brought some horses, which they sold well, nearly all of them having been purchased on the king's account.
Although the orders given by Aurangzeb to the European physician to kill Shahjahan by poison were secret, yet the people observed that Shahjahan refused to take the man into his service. Thus they suspected something, and in this way talk against Aurangzeb once more prevailed, on account of the barbarities with which he was treating the old man. Nor did they fail to say that he was now without a competitor, and ought to seek his father's friendship and beg for his father's pardon, since, although Shahjahan was a worldly man, he remained all the same his father; nor was there any apparent crime for which he (Shahjahan) could merit to be so hated by him he had created. Already they had resumed their open talk against Aurangzeb, and it was publicly said that God had given strength to Shiva Ji to inflict chastisement for such harshness.
Aurangzeb feared a rebellion, as old troubles seemed to be renewed; he therefore proceeded to secure his father's pardon. He wrote him letters, in appearance most loving, filled with repentances, wherein he entreated him pressingly for pardon and friendship. Shahjahan declined to accept these protestations, the evil nature [87] of Aurangzeb being sufficiently obvious. Not for this did Aurangzeb desist, but rather, pretending to be importunate, wrote more letters with more endearments, sending presents which delighted Shahjahan, such as hunting-gazelles, which fought together; hawks and horses, which also were used to fight each other. In addition, he asked his advice on various matters which had arisen in the kingdom. He told him he wished to live as an obedient son, but must be granted pardon for what he had done, there being no remedy for it now.
To this Shahjahan replied with somewhat of resentment, although in appearance he seemed mollified. His answer was that he did not mind other things, but he could not excuse the barbarity by which Aurangzeb made his few remaining years of life weigh heavily on him by sending to him the head of his beloved son Dara. Not contenting himself with having committed that piece of cruelty, he (Aurangzeb) had often designed the death of him, his father. How many times had he been obliged to behold the sepulchre of his cherished spouse, Taj Mahal, where, simply to grieve him, he (Aurangzeb) had sent the head of his brother Dara for interment after his barbarous beheadal. Therefore he (Aurangzeb) might rest assured that never could he obtain pardon for such wrongdoing. Nevertheless, as a token that he conceded a little something in the way of pardon and affection, he sent him some of the jewels which he had kept by him. Aurangzeb was satisfied, hoping by this concession to let the people suppose that his father had pardoned him.