Storia do Mogor 211.3.3

211.3.3

The Prince A'zam Shah, or A'zam-tara, also drank wine ; but it was not in concealment like the others. On the contrary, frequently he even caused scenes while drunk, without paying any heed to his father. The latter was much chagrined at such conduct, but as he loved this son, he overlooked his faults. One day the prince was on his way to court in a boat ; he asked the rowers how many days it would take them to reach Bengal in that boat. The eunuch seated behind him signed to them to hold their tongues, so that they answered not a word. But directly they had reached the court, the eunuch intimated to the king that the prince had put such a question. No sooner had he entered the palace than he was arrested and locked up, and there he remained for a whole year, getting no wine to drink. But having been married to Janl Begam, daughter of Dara, he was released. From what is above stated, it will be seen that these princes are under surveillance, and if any servant of the king, or the princes themselves, should dare to open his mouth to make even the slightest objection, he would be forthwith exiled from court and turned out of the service. This is a sufficiently heavy punishment to induce them to hold their tongue, for they have no other means of gaining a living.