[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) › 134 # Storia do Mogor 134: Shah 'Alam pretends to revolt in the Hope of seizing Shiva Ji. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 134 - **Language:** English ### Shah 'Alam pretends to revolt in the Hope of seizing Shiva Ji. ### [134.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.1) During this interval Shah 'Alam employed his commanders in matters of little importance, strict orders being given them not to enter into the territories of Shiva Ji. From this cause these officers, who were not then in the secret, wrote letter after letter to Aurangzeb, informing him that they could not make out the intentions of Shah 'Alam, who was wasting their time, whilst Shiva Ji went on robbing and plundering, to the great damage of the Dakhin. Diler Khan wrote with the others, but more bitterly. But Aurangzeb, who knew the orders he had given to his son, concealed everything, and replied to the officers, telling them to obey and take no notice of Shah 'Alam's acts; but if he did not do well, he would recall him to court. Meanwhile he wrote letters to Shah 'Alam praising him for his mode of working, and told him to build a bridge of gold for Shiva Ji, so as to bring him into his camp. ### [134.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.2) Things were in this condition when Shah 'Alam, assuming that Shiva Ji must be now satisfied, wrote him one more letter begging him not to delay his arrival, for he (Shah 'Alam) began to fear his father might discover the plot he had in hand. Shiva Ji replied that he was then ready to move, but he wanted an assurance that Rajah Jaswant Singh and the other officers had declared themselves on the prince's side. When he was quite certain of this, he would most certainly appear in the imperial camp with all his army. Satisfied with such a response, Shah 'Alam began to talk to Rajah Jaswant Singh, who, not being well affected to Aurangzeb, accepted the proposal at once. Thus, one by one, all of them subscribed the document, in which Shah 'Alam made separate promises to each. ### [134.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.3) Finding now that he had procured the signatures of the greater number of his officers to the agreement to rebel, Shah 'Alam ordered Diler Khan to come to him in audience, as he had something to tell him. The talk was intended to be about the rebellion, and Shah 'Alam hoped, by thus sending for Diler Khan the last of all, that he would be able, by pointing to the example of the others, to draw him over more easily to his faction. But Diler Khan, already aware of the plot for a rebellion, put no trust in Shah 'Alam, knowing how very sharp-witted Aurangzeb was; hence all this plotting might be make-believe. Thus, to protect himself, he sent word to Shah 'Alam that he had nothing whatever to do at his audience, being in the king's service. He was there in the field, ready to go out to fight in any direction he might desire; such an order he would obey forthwith, but to his audience he would not go. ### [134.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.4) It was in vain that Shah 'Alam resorted to every device to bring over Diler Khan to his side, for the king was desirous of getting rid of Diler Khan out of his sight. But this general, fully experienced by this time in every subtlety, would never consent to appear in audience. He perceived that, even if Shah 'Alam really rose in rebellion and obtained mastery over the kingdom, he would not lose any reputation by abstention, for his proved fidelity would continue to make him esteemed. Finding that he could not convince Diler Khan, Shah 'Alam passed him over and sent the document signed by the other generals to Shiva Ji. He added that, to secure the proposed object — that is, to make himself master of the kingdom by seizing his father — all that was now wanting was the aid of Shiva Ji's valour and his powerful army. With this intent he would take the field fully resolved and begin his march. He prayed Shiva Ji earnestly not to delay, and thereby give Aurangzeb time to collect more soldiers; for he (Shah 'Alam) had not then under him more than ten thousand horsemen, and with them he could not resist the valour and fury of so great an army as his father's. He would publish it to all the world that his ally was the famous Shiva Ji, who was executing righteous vengeance for the treachery that Aurangzeb had practised on him. ### [134.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.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. ### [134.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.6) Fida,e Khan, to show what a valiant man he was, after having erected his tents at the place alluded to, sent a message to the king that he might take his ease. For, so long as one soldier was left in the camp, Shah 'Alam should never be allowed to advance; and even if any disaster happened, His Majesty would still have time to retire whenever he pleased. Fida,e Khan was a brave soldier, of whom I shall have something to say farther on (II. 152), but he was guilty of this rhodomontade with the idea of procuring the royal favour. He had already some idea of the real state of the case. Aurangzeb simulated fear in the hope of increasing Shiva Jī's willingness to join the undertaking, and of a truth it was necessary to be very skilful if you were to hit the bull's-eye through all this deception. Having great natural judgment, and by this time great experience, Shiva Jī mocked at the cunning fox, after having attained his own ends by adding to his own wealth and power. For, in place of joining Shah 'Ālam, he wrote him a letter in which he said that, since Aurangzeb had only ten thousand horsemen, while he (Shah 'Ālam) had over one hundred and twenty thousand combatants, he might march by himself on the said enterprise. It was very easy of accomplishment. He would take care that no one should come to seize the Dakhin, and he gave his word that during that time he would not realize for himself any more of the revenue than what Aurangzeb had conceded to him when viceroy of the Dakhin. ### [134.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134.7) Shah 'Ālam was thunderstruck at such a reply, which he sent on at once to the king. Nevertheless, he continued his march to prove that he was in earnest, and dispatched letter upon letter to Shiva Jī, begging him not to desert him at this crisis. For it was on his advice alone that he had made up his mind to enter on such an undertaking; if he did not assist him, it was impossible to carry out the enterprise. Of a truth, anyone else than Shiva Jī would have fallen into the net. But he stuck firmly to his text, that he would not meet the Mogul army otherwise than sword in hand and ready to cut off heads. He merely sent word that the prince ought to proceed and deliver battle. If by ill-luck any harm happened to him, he had always a friend on whom he could rely. The officers who had signed the paper solicited Shah 'Ālam not to desert them, nor leave the king time to collect an army. Thus they continued the march, already assured, as they thought, of victory and of a new king. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.134) · Pramāṇa