[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 121 # Storia do Mogor 121: Shiva Ji goes to Court, and after Some Months takes to Flight. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 121 - **Language:** English ### Shiva Ji goes to Court, and after Some Months takes to Flight. ### [121.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.1) Diler Khan, being habituated to treachery, wished several times to kill Shiva Ji, and to this intent solicited Rajah Jai Singh to take his life, or at least to give him (Diler Khan) leave to do so. He would assume all responsibility, and see that the rajah was held blameless. He said the king would rejoice at such a result. For Shiva Ji's valour and intrepidity would never give any rest to the Mogul. But Rajah Jai Singh, who had pledged his word and oath not to allow of a murder, but rather that the king should treat Shiva Ji with great honour, never listened to the words of Diler Khan. On the contrary, he made arrangements to send Shiva Ji to court well guarded; and he wrote to his heir, Ram Singh, to take precautions against the king's murdering Shiva Ji. For he had pledged his word, confirmed by an oath, to protect him. Better would it be for his house to be extirpated than to permit Aurangzeb, under cover of his words, to organize treachery. ### [121.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.2) Upon Shiva Ji's arrival at Dihli the king caused him to appear in his presence, and instead of giving him the promised position, which was to be the highest in his audience-hall, he caused him to be assigned the lowest place in the first circle of nobles within the golden railing. Shiva Ji was much hurt at this deed of Aurangzeb's, which did not conform to the promises received, and angry (so to speak) at being still alive, he said resolutely to Aurangzeb that the position allotted was not according to that promised to him under oath, nor to the agreement made with Rajah Jai Singh. From this his first reception he could well surmise what would come to pass thereafter. Let Aurangzeb remember that the officers in His Majesty's presence, with the exception of Namdar Khan, who was a good soldier, were the rest of them so many old women, whom he had overcome in the field with the greatest ease. Thus not one of them deserved the position he held. Then in anger he came out. ### [121.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.3) Everybody imagined that Aurangzeb would order him to be slain ; but Aurangzeb was not used to display passion openly, and only carried out his designs in secrecy. He gave a sign that they were to talk Shiva Ji over, for at that time it was not known what he might want to state to the court. Some of them came out and managed to console him, saying it was the habit of the King of Hindustan not to give forthwith the first place to those who had newly come to court. But he was certain to do so afterwards ; for he held him in high esteem as a valiant captain. But he must wait with patience for a few days. In the interval Aurangzeb issued orders that he should be escorted to his tent, and, as sentries over him, they should post round his tent three corps of guards. This was until the palace of Fida,e Khan could be made ready for him. Thus he dwelt some months in a tent ; and finding there was no appearance either of the execution of the royal promises or of an opportunity of flight from the hands of Aurangzeb, he sent to ask permission for his soldiers and captains to leave for their own country. This Aurangzeb accorded, and was contented to detain the persons of Shiva Jī, of Sambhā Jī, his son, and of Netū Jī, the most renowned captain in Shiva Jī's service. ### [121.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.4) Shiva Jī, on the advice of Rām Singh, son of Rājah Jai Singh, who was one of the captains on guard over him, sent several times each week large covered baskets of sweetmeats to be shared among the officers and others. Aurangzeb took no precautions about this, acute though he was, for he supposed such presents were sent by Shiva Jī by reason of his desire to give alms in thanks to God for his freedom. When the adornment of Fidā,e Khān's mansion was completed he (Aurangzeb) gave orders, under the pretext of honouring Shiva Jī, that on the succeeding morning he should be removed to the said mansion, it being intended that he should be smothered there and buried on the spot. ### [121.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.5) Rām Singh, fully carrying out his father's instructions, and sufficiently acquainted with Aurangzeb's character, had spent money without stint to obtain reports of any orders issued by the king, either in favour of or against Shiva Jī. He thus heard of the royal order. Without delay Shiva Jī was informed, and he sent out to buy the large covered baskets of sweetmeats as usual. Then, concealing himself within one, he arranged to be carried away, he and his son, to a place of security, whence with good riding-horses he could take flight for his own country. Thus was it carried out. At seven o'clock in the evening, having succeeded in getting away without anyone suspecting, Shiva Jī made use of the preparations made in the villages and woods, as arranged by Rām Singh, and escaped without detention into his own country. ### [121.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.6) Next morning they went to remove Shiva Jī to the mansion where his life was to be taken. On entering the tent they saw a turban at the side of the cushion, as if \[106\] he were still asleep. They waited for a time, then once more they went to look if he was awake. But what was lying there was not able to move on any account ! Thus they went in several times without noticing any movement, nor did they hear any snoring. They uncovered him gently to find out if he was alive or dead. By this inspection they were undeceived, and at once reported to Ram Singh, who went to the king before anyone else could speak to him. After making his bow, he stood, with a cast-down countenance, in perfect silence. Aurangzeb was puzzled by this change, Ram Singh being ordinarily of a jovial expression. He asked what this dejection meant, and why he had not gone home. Ram Singh replied in a low voice that he had bad news, namely, that Shiva Jī had disappeared. ### [121.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121.7) Aurangzeb was much put out by this event, and raising his hand to his head as if plunged in thought, he sent out orders throughout the realm for Shiva Jī to be traced. But Shiva Jī was already far on his road, traversing in one night what would have taken anyone else three days and three nights. In this way it was impossible to catch him, his way being through jungle and mountains, places through which it is very difficult to pass. Being afraid that Netu Jī also might disappear, Aurangzeb forced him into accepting service, and sent him off to the other side of the river (the Indus) to fight under Mahabat Khan. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.121) · Pramāṇa