Storia do Mogor 65.21.1

65.21.1

Shahjahan earnestly desired that Dara should not offer battle until Sulaiman Shukoh had arrived. But Dara's two brothers and enemies came on with such haste that they left him no chance of delaying. I have been assured that Aurangzeb professed such determination as to say that if Taimur-i-lang and all his descendants came against him, on no account would it be fitting for him to retreat. He was resolved to give battle, putting his faith in the traitors to be found in Dara's camp. When placed in the field our army was so well distributed that it looked like a lovely city adorned with beautiful tents, flying innumerable flags of all colours and different shapes, each tent having its own flag and device so that it might be recognised. The prince Dara went to take leave of the king, his father, and of Begam Sahib, his sister, who at that time were living in the fort of Agrah. On beholding the son and brother so well beloved, they melted into floods of tears. The king began to speak, and thus addressed Dara: 'My loved and cherished son! I have always been well inclined towards you as being my first-born son and full of good qualities, above all of the quality of obedience, which you have always displayed to me. Your father hoped to see you become king peacefully, but none can fathom the secrets of the Lord Most High. My desire was to leave you in this fortress, and go forth myself against those rebels Aurangzeb and Murad Bakhsh, unworthy of the name of my sons or of your brothers.