[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 65.17 # Storia do Mogor 65.17 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.17 - **Language:** English ### [65.17.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.1) Foreseeing what might happen, and wishing to show his zeal in the prince's service, Mir Jumlah, in order to be able to succour Prince Aurangzeb if he failed in his first attempts, allowed by consent the fortress of Doltabad (Daulatabad) to be occupied \[by Aurangzeb\]. His reflection was that in case Prince Aurangzeb lost the battle that he had resolved to fight against Prince Dara and was routed, it was probable that King Shahjahan would send him (Mir Jumlah) in pursuit to wreak vengeance for the affront done to him. If so, he could once more be of some assistance to Aurangzeb. ### [65.17.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.2) The latter took possession of all his (Mir Jumlah's) treasure, cavalry, and artillery. Mir Jumlah had given secret orders to the generals and officers of his army to dissemble and make boastful demonstrations, without injuring anyone. These orders were executed. Both sides had recourse to their arms; many matchlocks were discharged, but nobody was hurt. To every one of the generals of King Shahjahan, who lay at half a league's distance from the force of Mir Jumlah, Aurangzeb sent an envoy saying that King Shahjahan being dead, if they would adopt his (Aurangzeb's) side, he promised them higher rank than they already held. As otherwise they would now come into the service of Dara, they ought to prefer to serve him (Aurangzeb), who was also a son of King Shahjahan. It was not fitting for such high-minded captains to serve an infidel prince, an enemy of the Mahomedan faith, of which he (Aurangzeb) was a true observer. Mahabat Khan would have nothing to do with such arguments, but thereupon beat his drums for a march, and took the road for Agrah. Aurangzeb used considerable efforts to make him come back, sending him several messages with presents. But Mahabat Khan, holding faithfully to the cause of King Shahjahan, continued his march, and on his arrival at Agrah the king at once made him governor of the kingdom of Kabul \[174\]. ### [65.17.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.3) The other generals expressed doubts, and said there was no certain news of the death of King Shahjahan, and that it was not for them to take the prince's side until they knew the truth. If the king were dead, they would come over to his side. They asked for fifty days' time, so that they might send their spies and learn what was going on. If no answer arrived within that limit of time, they pledged their word to adopt his cause. To make sure of their promises, Aurangzeb took from them an oath on the Quran. In this interval, knowing well that the king was alive, he (Aurangzeb) resorted to some of his devices, and sent an order to a trusty captain called Mirza Abdulha ('Abdullah), who was in charge of the castle on the Narbada, the river which divides the lands of the Dakhin from Hindustan. This is an obligatory point for crossing, a place where no one can come or go without being examined. The orders were that everybody returning to the Dakhin should be searched. If he captured any letters saying that King Shahjahan still lived, he must forthwith burn them, and behead those who carried them. ### [65.17.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.4) In this way the generals were prevented from receiving their answer within the appointed time, and all of them transferred themselves to the side of Prince Aurangzeb. The latter lost no time in completing his preparations, writing to his friends whatever suited himself. Having taken the field with all his troops, he ordered everyone to kneel on the ground, as he did, and ask God with great earnestness to give them the victory. At the time of his mounting to start he raised his hands to heaven and said : 'Hia ser deem, hia setanem ' (Ayd sar diham yd sitdnum), by which he meant : ' I will lose my own, or take my adversary's head.' These are the very words spoken by Alexander the Great when he marched against King Darius. ### [65.17.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.5) After making several marches there came news to him how the castle of Surat had surrendered to Shahbaz, the general of Prince Murad Bakhsh, but, not finding in it the cash that had been expected, it was sacked. All that was found in it was carried off to Prince Murad Bakhsh. The latter was requested by Prince Aurangzeb to join him with all his forces. He marched off to find him (Aurangzeb), so that they might unite and pursue their road to Agrah together. When he mounted his horse to set out on this journey, he said : ' Aguer talle daram, ech parua naderam ' (Agar tali' daram, hech parwa na daram), that is to say : ' If I hold Fortune, I need no one.' The eunuch Shahbaz, having no faith in the word of Aurangzeb, advised his master, Murad Bakhsh, on no account to quit the kingdom of Gujarat, nor even leave the city of Amadabad (Ahmadabad), the chief place of that province. He (Shahbaz) would make him master of all the fortified places, adding greatly to his treasures ; he should place no faith in the soft and misleading words of Prince Aurangzeb, but should refrain from going where that prince wished ; and time would show what they ought to do. ### [65.17.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.6) Aurangzeb continued his march towards Murad Bakhsh. Apprehensive that he might send no answer, Aurangzeb redoubled his sweetly-worded letters, which were most subtle. He reaffirmed that he would make him (Murad Bakhsh) King of Dihli, as he had already promised; that his purpose was confined to making him king and entrusting to him his sons, whom he (Murad Bakhsh) should deal with as with any other men in his service. He (Aurangzeb) kept a number of secret agents at Murad Bakhsh's court, and these men persuaded that prince that these overtures were made solely to place his (Aurangzeb's) family and his own person in safety beneath his (Murad Bakhsh's) protection. On becoming king he was at liberty to grant Aurangzeb something by way of alms for his journey to Mecca, and to provide him a dwelling there, where he would pass the remaining days of his life, as he had vowed to God. ### [65.17.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.7) Murad Bakhsh declined to listen to the counsels of the eunuch Shahbaz, ambition to reign misleading his judgment. Then he made ready and started, meeting Aurangzeb, who awaited him near the mountains and woods \[175\] of Manddo (Mandu). Aurangzeb advanced to greet him, bringing with him his son, Sultan Muhammad; he was received with great respect, addressed as king by Aurangzeb, who stood before him with crossed hands. All the grand promises were renewed. Aurangzeb assured him he made not the slightest pretension to the crown; his only object was to help him (Murad Bakhsh) against Prince Dara, his enemy, and place him upon the throne. To this he had pledged himself solely with a view to retaining his friendship. The two armies marched by equal stages. During this time Aurangzeb repeated continually his promises of friendship. He showed Murad Bakhsh the greatest respect, and always, in public and in private, referred to him and spoke to him as king and sovereign. Aurangzeb let him understand that if he had had any wish to be a king, the affair at Gulkhandah would have sufficed; if he had any esteem for things of this world, he would be already king of Gulkhandah. Murad Bakhsh believed that he was his true friend, that he would perform what he promised, that he sincerely loved him. In return, Murad Bakhsh made him the most magnificent promises. ### [65.17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17.8) Once, at ten o'clock at night, after Aurangzeb had arrived at the woods of Mandu, he being in his tent reading the Quran, there appeared at his right hand a hideous snake, which advanced towards him. Without being perturbed or losing his head, he drew with the greatest calm a little sword that he always carried about with him. By one sudden blow he separated the snake's head from its body, and, seated as he was, the blood splashed all over him. Getting to his feet, he shouted for his servants, and they finished off the snake, for they struck it all over its body. After it was dead he ordered it to be weighed. They made out a weight of sixty pounds (arates). He declared that this was a sign that God would give him the victory, for the Mahomedans are very superstitious. Some critical persons will ask how there could be a snake of that size, and being so large, how it could get into the tent of Prince Aurangzeb. Leaving on one side what other authors have written, I say that I have seen them of much greater size. As for its getting into the tent, let the reader recollect that the said tent was in a wood full of rocks, where the ground could not be levelled. The whole army was scattered about in the same way, for in default of level ground the greater part of the army rests beneath trees, or among rocks, as I have seen on several occasions. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.17) · Pramāṇa