Storia do Mogor 134.5

134.5

Thus did Shah 'Alam take the field, announcing to the world that he was on his way to Dihli to seize his father and crown himself king. As a demonstration that he already felt the sceptre in his hand, he granted large pay to his generals, distributed governments, granted provinces, remitted tribute. In this way the kingdom was filled with the rumour; and, as happens in rebellions, some rejoiced at the rising, others complained that they would be ruined and destroyed, that there would be an end of the prosperity then beginning to prevail in Aurangzeb's reign. All this was mere child's play; but at the head of the game were persons who meant to carry out a plot of great profit to the Mogul. Aurangzeb feigned to be much terrified, and showed great alarm at this rebellion. To bear this out, he ordered the treasure-houses to be opened, and preparation to be made for taking the field, and he began to engage additional men for his army. Meanwhile he sent Fida,e Khan, with the ten thousand horsemen then present, to hold the fords on the river Chambal, where Dara had taken up his position against Aurangzeb at the first battle of which I spoke (I. 184). He then got ready mules and camels to be loaded with gold, as if in preparation for flight. He started a rumour to that effect.