Storia do Mogor 65.15
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.15
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65.15.1
This prince marched along with the greatest confidence, relying on his bravery and on certain favoured captains of his who were at the court of Shahjahan, of whom the greater number had left (for the Dakhin) in the suite of Mu'azzam Khan. He chose the route past the city of Agrah, giving out that King Shahjahan was already dead through poison given by his son Dara. For this reason, as he announced, he was on his way against Dara, and meant to avenge himself for the death of his father. King Shahjahan was already somewhat recovered, although still weak, when he heard of the revolt of this son. He wrote him a letter telling him not to advance any nearer, and assured him that his complaint was not vital, and he was already much better. He might return to the place whence he had come. Prince Dara to whom it was of the greatest importance that the letters should be delivered, for he feared no one except Shah Shuja', was most energetic in getting these letters written. But Prince Shah Shuja's friends at the court wrote him to the contrary, asserting that his father's illness was mortal. Shah Shuja' received the letter of Shahjahan, but, concealing the fact, he moved ever on, announcing either that his father was dead; or, that if he should be living, on arrival at Agrah he (Shah Shuja') would ask his forgiveness, and submit himself to his authority.
65.15.2
It was reported to Shahjahan that Shah Shuja' had not obeyed his orders. He was thus forced, ailing and weak as he was, to leave the city of Dihli, and start for the city of Agrah, a distance of sixty-six leagues. His object was that all the people should hear, and that word should run throughout the empire that he was alive. Thus would he intimidate his sons and any traitors. But all was of no avail. Shah Shuja', now that he had taken the field, meant to seize the kingdom; and thus he continued his march. By this conduct, Shahjahan was forced unavoidably to send against him Sultan Suliman Xacu (Sulaiman Shukoh), eldest son of Prince Dara, then at the age of twenty-five years. He was a well-grown young man, generous, of good judgment, loved by everybody, above all by his grandfather, Shahjahan, who conferred on him great wealth at the time of his marriage, which took place one year before the rebellion.
65.15.3
This prince (Sulaiman Shukoh) was appointed general of the army sent against his uncle, Shah Shuja'. They sent with him the famous general called Rajah Ja Sing (Jai Singh), who was a partisan of this prince, a man of great power and riches, renowned throughout Hindustan, and of so great capacity that there was not his like in the kingdom. They also gave him the great leader Dalil Can (Dalel, or Daler Khan) of the Pathan tribe, and a force of selected troops. To these leaders the king (Shahjahan) gave secret orders that on no account were they to give battle unless compelled. They were to do all they possibly could to make Prince Shah Shuja' withdraw to Bengal.
65.15.4
Shah Shuja' heard that this army had started against him, and he made up his mind to fight if he came in contact with the enemy. Equally Prince Sulaiman Shukoh wanted to earn a name for valour, and determined to attack Prince Shah Shuja', his uncle, if he came up with him. But this was not the view of Rajah Jai Singh. Therefore, every day during the advance he sent off letters to Shah Shuja', and did all he could to prevent the two forces encountering each other. But, in spite of all his exertions, he found it impossible to make Shah Shuja' agree to give way. When the armies arrived within sight of each other, Prince Shah Shuja menaced his adversaries with his artillery. Rajah Jai Singh, who had the direction of Sulaiman Shukoh's army, took no notice, and prudently gave no other answer to the artillery fire than the following letter :
65.15.5
'Mighty Prince — Shah Shuja' ! — News was received by the emperor Shahjahan, your highness's father and my sovereign, that your highness had come from your province with valiant soldiers and captains to wreak vengeance on someone for putting your father to death, as was asserted. But the report is false, for Shahjahan still lives and enjoys perfect health. As an intimate friend of your highness, I can assure you that he continues alive and well. Thus you can turn back to your province. As an addition to it, Shahjahan makes you a grant of the city of Patana (Patnah), with its territory, in recognition of the love you have displayed to him at this time. It was an excellent decision, on the receipt of such news, to take the field, whereby your highness proved yourself a valorous prince and leader. But it would be a still better resolve if you were now to retreat, when you find that your father lives. You will thereby avoid causing him to suspect you of rebellion, and forcing him to send against you a still greater army for your destruction. I hope that your highness will listen to my advice, and withdraw without delay. I make promise of assisting you when the need arises.'
65.15.6
The prince Shah Shuja', having received this letter, appeared to be satisfied, and seemed to desire nothing more, giving out that he intended to retrace his steps. But he had a cunning mind, and had resolved to mislead Rajah Jai Singh, whom he dreaded, knowing him to be an experienced commander. With this intent he answered him as follows: 'Valorous Captain, Rajah Jai Singh! — The reason of my coming from the territory of Bengal is notorious throughout Hindustan, and the news received of the death of my father constrained me to collect what forces I had and take the road for Dihli. But now that you assure me my father is alive and in good health, I am satisfied to withdraw once more into my government. But it is imperative that you, being a vassal, retire the first, as befits the honour of a royal prince, such as I am; and I give my word that I will retreat, praying you meanwhile to retain your affection towards me.'
65.15.7
Rajah Jai Singh fathomed the intention of Shah Shuja' to fall upon him during his retirement, and made as if he accepted the proposal to withdraw first. He issued orders for the next morning that they should load the elephants, horses, and carts, and the rest of the baggage; he also gave the signal for a march, thus misleading the spies of Shah Shuja'. But secretly he directed that when the drums should beat for the march, his cavalry should remain on the alert. When Shah Shuja' learnt that the drums were beating for the march in Sulaiman Shukoh's army, he ordered his men to make ready for a rear attack on his nephew. But he did not find the opportunity, because Rajah Jai Singh at break of day fell all of a sudden on the army he had prepared, and many lives were taken. He did not allow Shah Shuja' a chance of rallying his troops, routed him, and took some of his artillery, some elephants, and a number of prisoners. Of the latter, forty were sent to the city of Agrah for production before the king as an attestation of the victory. Prince Dara did not deal with these prisoners as a valorous soldier should, but, by a most unjust sentence, ordered each to have a hand cut off. He imagined that this victory was the beginning of his reign.
65.15.8
Prince Sulaiman Shukoh continued the pursuit, contrary to the opinion of Rajah Jai Singh, being anxious to seize his uncle and complete his destruction. But Rajah Jai Singh so controlled matters that he (Shah Shuja') was allowed to retreat and save himself. He (the rajah) could have taken him, but did not wish to do so, for three reasons : the first was that Shahjahan still lived, and would release him, thus he (the rajah) would only gain one enemy the more at court ; the second was the orders of the king requiring him to avoid a battle ; the third was his grievance against Prince Dara, as already spoken of, when he called him (the rajah) a musician (I. 155). If he preferred to rout him (Shah Shuja') by the exercise of finesse, that was for two reasons : the first was that he would lose reputation if he attempted an attack on the prince's rear, a movement in which there was much risk of his being defeated ; the second was not to leave an opening for Prince Shah Shuja' to act with still greater boldness, and thereby create more disorder at court.
65.15.9
Rajah Jai Singh wanted to let Shah Shuja' get away; he therefore said to Sulaiman Shukoh that it was better for him to return to court, since other matters were still pending there, and thus be on the alert in case of any other rising. But the prince replied to him that his father Dara could in that event gather together a new army, and send the general Barqandaz Khan against the new rebels. Thus he would not consent to desist ; but Rajah Jai Singh continued to give Shah Shuja' the opportunity of retreat, and thus they followed him until he had almost arrived at the Bengal boundary.