Storia do Mogor 338.14.6

338.14.6

Aurangzeb had in his army an officer called Xemxir Can (Shamsher Khān) — that is, ' The Great Sword ' — a Pathān by race, and a man of great courage. The king, having noticed that this officer's nephew had gone to join the rebel prince, Akbar, who up to the present time is in Persia, ordered him at the public audience to send for this man and produce him. The uncouth, peasant-like Pathān, paying the king no respect, replied to him : ' My nephew will never obey me ; he treats me just as Prince Akbar behaved to your majesty.' Aurangzeb, on hearing these words, withdrew, much disturbed by the answer. When Shamsher Khān drew near his tent, there came an order from the king demanding his sword. The bold Pathān, recognising that if he ceded it he would have to die, gave as his reply that the sword borne by him at his waist went with his honour. Rather than make over his sword he would die with it. He then made ready with his small retinue to die resolutely. The king's displeasure was intensified by these words, and he ordered twelve thousand men, the best he had in his bodyguard, to go and bring back the man's head, killing everybody who resisted. Seeing this force approaching, the Pathān sallied out, followed by five hundred soldiers, who were his relations and friends. They threw themselves on the opposing force and slew the principal men who were to the front, and threw the whole body into confusion.