Storia do Mogor 294.2.5

294.2.5

In the month of May in the same year [1702] Aurangzeb, knowing the rainy season would soon arrive, and aware of the impossibility of undertaking anything until it was completely over, found it advisable to make a last effort to take the fort of Khelna. For this purpose he invested it still more strictly, having now some better troops. All his attempts were useless — nay, the enemy cut into pieces for him nearly six thousand mansabdars (officers). They were killed among the hills where that fort is situated. From this cause he was forced to abandon the enterprise, putting it off to a season and occasion more favourable to his designs. Everybody in India knows that Agrah is the place where the Mogul collects all his treasure, and thence withdraws subsequently such money as is required for the payment of his troops, even when the army is on the march. This money arrives only at intervals, and is used to pay those troops who serve directly under his orders. By this procedure he now and again suffers loss ; for in spite of these remittances being furnished with a strong escort, there are some of his children who do not invariably maintain the respect and loyalty due to their king and their father.