Storia do Mogor 65.16
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.16
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65.16.1
The report of his father's illness having reached Aurangzeb at Aurangabad, he began secretly the necessary preparations for taking the field. But he conducted himself more prudently than did Murad Bakhsh. The latter, assembling such small army as was in his power, took the field, declaring himself a rebel, and proclaiming that he was on his way to Dihli to rescue the king [folio 170 is blank]. [171] King Shahjahan and Prince Dara believed that they were already freed from danger, seeing that Prince Shah Shuja' had retired in the manner just described, and they attached no importance to Prince Murad Bakhsh's rising. They supposed that, through some present or other and letters they would send him, he would assuredly return to obedience. They did not foresee what was going to happen. For this reason Shahjahan ordered all his baggage to proceed to the city of Dihli. He announced that he would leave Agrah shortly, and that he was already recovered from his illness. In pursuance of this resolve, the greater part of the army had already reached the city of Dihli, and the roads were crowded with those who were still marching there day and night.
65.16.2
Meanwhile, in silence, a greater rebellion was in preparation. For Aurangzeb, who had for a long time been eager to make himself king, although covering up his ambition by his subterfuges, now availed himself of the outbreaks of the other princes. He wrote a letter to a rebel of Bijapur named Sevagi (Shiva Ji) to gain him to his cause, in case he met, perchance, with any failure in the purpose he was aiming at. He sent Shiva Ji presents, together with a golden tablet, by which he granted to him the collection of a fourth part of the revenues of some provinces of the Dakhin province, then held by the said Aurangzeb. This grant was to be perpetual ; all the same, the time came when he broke his word, according to his habit, as will be seen hereafter (II. 117). Being assured of the neutrality of Shiva Ji, he (Aurangzeb) declared himself against his father. The latter was on the point of mounting his horse and starting on the aforesaid journey, when they delivered to him a sad letter, in which he was told that the Prince Aurangzeb had rebelled. This threw the court into confusion and the Prince Dara into great anxiety. All the people came back to the city of Agrah — in fact, I was already in Dihli, and now returned.
65.16.3
King Shahjahan wrote a letter to Aurangzeb repeating the protest that he had written to Prince Shah Shuja'. Prince Dara also wrote, but his letter was full of threats. But Prince Aurangzeb dissembled and gave the same answer as Shah Shuja'. Finding himself with only a small force, and Murad Bakhsh being also in the field, Aurangzeb decided to write this letter to him : 'Be it known to the mighty Prince Murad Bakhsh that I have received word that Prince Dara has killed our father by poison, and has taken possession of the government, meaning to assume the title of emperor. From this cause Prince Shah Shuja' marched with a powerful army, intending to secure the throne and avenge himself on Prince Dara. This fact has forced me to write this letter, to let you know that there is no one, no other prince except you, worthy to be emperor of the Mogul Empire. Dara is an infidel and idolater, a destroyer of the Mahomedan faith ; Prince Shah Shuja' is a heretic, following the sect of 'Ali, and thus opposed to our faith ; while my zeal for the Quran requires me to devote all my strength to making you emperor of the whole empire. For, as everybody knows, it is a long time since I renounced the world and made a solemn vow to end my days at Mecca.
65.16.4
All that I ask of you is a sincere statement, supported by an oath on the Quran, that after I have, relying on the strength of Allah, seated you on the throne and made you absolute sovereign, you will be pleased to take compassion on my family, and cherish them in memory of me with paternal love. If you give me your word with an oath on the Quran thus to act, I promise to use all my strength, devices, and ingenuity, and make every possible effort to seat you on the throne of Dihli. As a guarantee of what I say here, I send you one hundred thousand rupees, in order to establish between us a firm and perpetual union and friendship, being brothers, as we are, of one father and of one faith, and both defenders of the Quran. Therewith I conclude, awaiting your arrival. — Your faithful brother, AURANGZEB.' Prince Murad Bakhsh, on receipt of this letter, in which he believed, was highly delighted, and showed it to all men in his army, in order to raise their spirits and encourage the adhesion of more leaders. He also used it to induce the great merchants to lend with a better grace the money he wanted from them, and thus obviate the use of force. His spirits rose, he looked on himself as already king, and he made great promises to everyone. By these means he raised a large force for the campaign. He replied as follows to his brother Aurangzeb :
65.16.5
' Most prudent and most faithful brother Aurangzeb, Champion of the Quran ! — Upon the receipt of your letter I was much gratified at the goodwill you enounce towards me, still more to find you so zealous for the Quran, and so ready to save our religion from the destruction that threatens it, should either of our two brothers become emperor. As I wish to prove myself grateful for the many kindnesses you show me, I accept the proposal that you make to me, and give you my word, attested by an oath on the Quran, to maintain your family in their rank as princes, and, above all, treating your own person in conformity with your directions, shall always hold you in respect and in loco parentis. As a mark of the great affection with which I accept your exhibition [of love], I employ the hundred thousand rupees on soldiers, whom I am sending to take the castle of Surat. I am making ready for the junction of our two armies, to carry out what Allah the Most High shall inspire. Awaiting further news, and believing that their can be no doubt of what you have promised me, your faithful brother, MURAD BAKHSH.'
65.16.6
Murad Bakhsh selected three thousand horsemen, and placed them under his loyal eunuch called Xaabas (Shahbaz), a very brave man, and sent them to take the castle of Surat. During this interval Prince Aurangzeb sent his son Sultan Muhammad, who was married to a daughter of the King of Gulkhandah, as I have already stated (ante, I. 163), to bring back Mir Jumlah, then busy at the fortress of Kaliyani. Mir Jumlah was to rejoin him (Aurangzeb) at the city of Aurangabad. The prince sent a message that there were affairs of great importance on which he must consult him. Mir Jumlah, though it was all a pretence, made excuses, saying in a loud voice that he was the officer of the King Shahjahan, and not of Aurangzeb, nor was he under the latter's orders : for the king was alive, and not dead [173] as was asserted ; that there was trustworthy news of the fact ; that all his family was at the court in Agrah in the hands of Prince Dara. In no way could he accede to the proposals, or adopt the side of Aurangzeb. In this way Sultan Muhammad went back to the city of Aurangabad, and pretended to be very much put out with Mir Jumlah for not having carried out the business wanted of him.
65.16.7
The second time Prince Aurangzeb sent his second son, Sultan Mahazan (Sultan Mu'azzam), to show him (Mir Jumlah) the letters written by his father (Shahjahan). These were forgeries. They were in very cordial terms. They showed him to be so affectionate and friendly that Mir Jumlah declared it impossible to refuse to go. He then arranged terms with the garrison of Kaliyam, and hastened with his army to join that of Sultan Mu'azzam, and they marched together for the city of Aurangabad. Upon Mir Jumlah's arrival, Prince Aurangzeb made a false display of affection, using to him phrases of the greatest possible endearment, styling him 'baba' (baba) and 'babagi' (baba Ji)—that is to say, 'father' and 'lord father'—and embracing him repeatedly. He prayed him most earnestly to come with him to take part in his enterprise and to adopt his cause. Mir Jumlah appeared to be much incensed, and said that he was a most loyal subject of King Shahjahan. In public he reprehended him (Aurangzeb); all this being a comedy, to the end that the spies might write to King Shahjahan and Prince Dara of his apparent loyalty.