Storia do Mogor 196: Release of Shah 'Alam and his Sons.

196

Aurangzeb with his army continued the campaign against Shiva Ji (the Mahrattahs), but his operations were more defensive than offensive. For that prince (Ram Raja) followed his father's plan of avoiding a meeting in the field, and instead plundered in all directions without ever allowing any rest to Aurangzeb's forces. The generals were forced to rush with reinforcements wherever they heard that Shiva Ji was pillaging. While they were advancing to the east, that prince would appear all of a sudden on the west, and this was his invariable custom.
Meanwhile there appeared in the lands of Bengal a rajah called Saba Singh (Sobha Singh), who raised a great disturbance in the province, slaying governors and seizing treasures, taking possession of lands, and penetrating as far as Ragemahal (Raj-mahal). Owing to these events, Aurangzeb was forced to send a second army against him, but this army suffered worse. From this cause Aurangzeb already began to consider the release of Shah 'Alam and his family. Although it was not done with a good grace, he was obliged to do it ; for news was brought to him that Sultan Sulaiman, King of Persia, had given a golden crown to Akbar, and promised to favour his claim to the throne. He said he would take Akbar's side against his father Aurangzeb.
On the arrival of this news at court, Aurangzeb, who knew Akbar's enterprising character, resolved to depute Shah 'Alam against him at the head of a great army in defence of Hindustan. To resist the rajah in Bengal he determined to send 'Azlm-ud-dln, the second son of Shah 'Alam, thus separating father and son. But the reader will like to know the way in which Aurangzeb sent off these princes.
Their release took place on a Friday without [251] anybody knowing of the intention, for fear that A'zam Tara, a rash and determined prince, might not, on learning of his brother's release, head an outbreak which would throw the kingdom into confusion. Therefore, very early, long before the usual hour, he (Aurangzeb) started for the mosque, and called into his presence Shah 'Alam and his sons without sending word to A'zam Tara. The king was already in the mosque with Shah 'Alam on his right hand, a post where A'zam Tara had been accustomed to stand during his brother's captivity.
Then spies reported to A'zam Tara that the king, his father, had already begun his prayers, and he issued forth in all haste, and went also to the mosque. But seeing that his brother occupied the place usually held by himself, he angrily took up his position at the back, and, hurrying through his orisons, made his exit, resolved to raise a disturbance. But Aurangzeb, like the clever politician he was, directly the prayers were over, started in company with his son (Shah 'Alam) as far as the river Bimbara (Bhimra). Thence without delaying he furnished him with a retinue, and ordered him under his own eyes to cross to the other side of the river. He received orders to march and take up the government of Hindustan. Letters followed, directing the governors to obey his orders; the king also forwarded his baggage after him, and further retinue afterwards. For time did not allow of his being detained near him (Aurangzeb) until all these matters were put in order.
At the same time he ordered 'Azim-ud-din to cross the river with his father, and then separating from him to make for Bengal. Thus he deprived A'zam Tara of any opening for perpetrating a misdeed. There can be no doubt that if any king ever had recourse to foresight to prevent disorder, it was Aurangzeb.