[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) › 153 # Storia do Mogor 153: Aurangzeb marches against the Pathans. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 153 - **Language:** English ### [153](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.153) Aurangzeb took the field against the Pathans, riding his horse in the sun, with lance in hand, and taking no shelter from heat or dust. He did this to prove his determination to destroy them. He refused to listen to the petitions of his officers. They had practical knowledge of the fierceness and persistence of the Pathans \[158\], and of the strength of the positions which they held. They advised him to deal otherwise with these people. But he was of opinion that when he was present in person everything was easy, forgetting what had happened to the great Akbar, who lost against them eighty thousand horsemen. He would listen to no one, but continued his onward march. On arriving at Lahor, he directed that the harem should proceed no farther, taking with him thence only a few women. Thus the rest remained in Lahor awaiting the king's return, or his permission to advance. The king marched on and took up position with his army at Hasan Abdal, near the river Indus. This campaign lasted twenty-six months without the king gaining the least advantage over the Pathans. On the contrary, he lost some of his most valuable soldiers. Thus the son of Shekh Mir, a man of valour, was taken by the Pathans, and the king had to ransom him. Finding himself unable to overcome the Pathans, and that he would lose thereby much of his honour and reputation, Aurangzeb had recourse to other measures. As he suspected that Mahabat Khan was encouraging the Pathan resistance, he sent an order for his removal. Offended at this supersession, Mahabat Khan proposed, with the help of the Pathans, to rise in revolt and declare himself King of Kabul. But he was counselled to the contrary by true friends, who reminded him of the loyal conduct of the great Mahabat Khan, his father, who had refrained from killing Jahangir when he could have done it if so minded. Mahabat Khan came in anger to the king's camp, the Pathans allowing him to pass without hurt. On arrival in the royal presence, Aurangzeb ordered him to proceed to Hindustan; but on the way he had him poisoned. There were two reasons: one was because Mahabat Khan's enemies said to the king that as he was friendly with the Rajputs he might, on reaching Hindustan, try to revolt; the other reason was that, on this occasion, when issuing from the royal presence, being in an angry mood, he ordered his kettledrums to beat in the midst of the royal encampment. This was a great affront to the king; it was as much as to say that he did not care in the least for his life, and was no longer a subject of Aurangzeb. He (Aurangzeb) ordered, as I have said, that poison should be given to him secretly; and since he was on his way to Lahor, they told the king there was in that city a Frank physician who might cure him. For this reason there came to me a letter without any name, which stated that in no way must I afford aid to Mahabat Khan. He who brought me the letter, a man unknown to me, took me by the hand, and pressing it, said I must pay great heed to the letter and not act to the contrary, and then off he went. - [Previous: 152](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.152) - [Next: 154](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.154) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.153](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.153) · Pramāṇa