Storia do Mogor 175: AURANGZEB MAKES PEACE WITH THE RANA.

175

Despairing of success in his attempt to conquer the Rana's country, owing to the difficulty of making his way into it, and finding that Akbar had beaten a retreat to the territories of Sambha Ji, Aurangzeb became desirous of concluding a peace with the Rana, for which that ruler had several times made overtures. Aurangzeb was now eager to strengthen his position in the Dakhin, fearing that Akbar would lose neither time nor opportunity in making himself formidable with the aid of Sambha Ji. Thus in the very same region where he (Aurangzeb) began his contest for the throne, Akbar would acquire power, wealth, and soldiers. The chief difficulty was, however, to make a peace with the Rana, for Aurangzeb could not make overtures without loss of honour. He also feared that the Rana and the nobles in his kingdom, as also his own officers, among whom were some friendly to the Rana, might mock at him for having refused the proffered peace, which he was now himself compelled to sue for. For these reasons he directed Diler Khan to undertake the office of mediator between him and the Rana, and conclude a peace.
Diler Khan wrote to the Rana saying that, looking to the long-established friendship between the Rajput realm and that of the Moguls, considering also the chivalry with which the Rana treated his enemies in time of war, there were signs that His Majesty the Rana had no desire for further war. The writer had therefore undertaken to mediate and arrange a peace between him and King Aurangzeb, his master, if His Majesty (the Rana) should so desire. The Rana saw quite clearly that this was mere policy on the part of Aurangzeb, who was in want of peace, and he therefore dissimulated, in order to convince Aurangzeb that he was under no necessity to make terms. He therefore replied to Diler Khan in a dilatory strain, excusing himself from discussing peace terms, as he had other business on hand within his territories. Diler Khan, by order of Aurangzeb, persisted in talking of a peace, and sent letter after letter to the Rana; now detailing [the Mogul] strength and valour; now stating that his forefathers [the Rana's] had never wished to make war upon the Mogul; now threatening a farther advance, talking of setting fire to everything found on the way; now pointing out to him how he would confer a great favour on the Mogul by consenting to a peace [198] at a time when he was so embarrassed by the rising of his son. But the Rana, although desirous of peace and escape from further warfare, gave various excuses, such as that he was quite willing, but being in ill-health, he could not apply his mind to such an important affair as making a solid and durable peace with the Mogul.
In this manner he kept Aurangzeb in expectation, and the delay was very heavy to bear. For, meanwhile, his son Akbar and Sambha Ji were far from wasting their time. These negotiations went on for some five months, and in the end the Rana sent his brother to the court to complete the treaty of peace. He was received with great honour; and, in truth, being the brother of a powerful king, such honour was politic on Aurangzeb's part, in order to facilitate the negotiations. Peace was made; nor were there any new provisions, beyond the grant by Aurangzeb to the Rana of a province which formerly belonged to his state, but had been ceded by his ancestors to the Mogul. The Rana's ancient privileges were confirmed. In addition thereto the Rana was under obligation, as I have said (II. 187), to keep seven thousand horseman in the Mogul