Storia do Mogor 65.20.1

65.20.1

The eunuch Shahbaz, seeing clearly that Aurangzeb was deceiving his master, Murad Bakhsh, and that certainly he would lose his life by such deceits, made up his mind after the victory to commit a terrible act. When Aurangzeb came to see his brother Murad Bakhsh, as he often did, accompanied by his son, Sultan Muhammad, he (Shahbaz) resolved to take his life as he was issuing from the tents. When all three princes were in conversation, the eunuch said meaningly to his prince that, if he gave permission, he would order some 'cloth' to be cut. Murad Bakhsh's star being unpropitious, he replied that it was not necessary. He was aware of the intention of the eunuch; thus, if he said 'Yes,' he knew the man to be quite prepared and resolved to kill the two visitors by violence, and for this purpose he had placed men in hiding beforehand. These were the 'cloth' that the eunuch asked permission to 'cut,' for 'to cut out cloth' has two meanings; ordinarily, it is to cut out cloth for garments. The eunuch acted the simpleton, trying to get assent for carrying out the project, as I have already said, and after the deed meant to disculpate himself. Even should he lose his life, he would die content, having put to death those who meant to kill his master. He clearly perceived that Aurangzeb would never leave his master in life, such not being the custom among the descendants of the Moguls. On hearing the conversation, Aurangzeb knew at once that his life was in danger;