[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) › 65.21 # Storia do Mogor 65.21 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.21 - **Language:** English ### [65.21.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.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. ### [65.21.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.2) I had hoped to chastise the rebels and traitors who take the side of my enemies; but you have had compassion on my years and infirmity, and mean to expose your life for the peace of the kingdom, the freedom and the safety of your father. Not to dishearten you, I consent to your doing as you wish ; but entreat you, my beloved son, to avoid a battle until the arrival of Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh your son. You will thus increase your chance of victory. I beg of you to curb your ardour. Being incapable of doing more, I pray that your life may be spared and that you may survive to become emperor of all Hindustan, and \[184\] that our enemies may be slain. I place you in the hands of God, in whom we trust to give us the victory and make us triumph over rebels and traitors.' Having bade farewell to his father, Dara soon appeared in the army ; but the march could not be undertaken that day. Some of the war materiel was still wanting, nor did the astrologers judge the hour auspicious for a start. On the third day this huge army began its march. When Dara was about to mount his magnificent elephant Fatejang (Fath Jang) — that is to say, ' Victor in War ' — he said these words : ' Guerrib maf, magrur marg ' (Gharib mu'af, maghrur marg) — that is to say, ' To the humble, pardon ; to the haughty, death.' The generals then present replied simultaneously, ' Hixa Alla ' (Inshallah) — that is to say, ' By the favour of God.' ### [65.21.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.3) We began the march in such great order that it seemed as if sea and land were united. Prince Dara amidst his squadron appeared like a crystal tower, resplendent as a sun shining over all the land. Around him rode many squadrons of Rajput cavalry whose armour glittered from afar, and their lance-heads with a tremulous motion sent forth rays of light. There were other squadrons of cavalry armed with lances, in front of whom went many ferocious elephants clad in shining steel with chains on their trunks, their tusks encrusted with gold and silver, and broad cutlasses affixed thereto by rings. In advance was one with a handsome flag, and the driver, who guided the elephant, was armed with armes blanches (sword and shield). A marvellous thing was it to behold the march, which moved over the heights and through the vales like the waves of a stormy sea. Thus we held on our way for four days until we reached the bank of the river Chambal, where was a village called Dolpur (Dholpur). Our powerful army took up position on this ground, and entrenched the crossing, placing its pieces of artillery to cover the most exposed points. ### [65.21.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.4) We awaited the enemy, who was already near ; he appeared afar off after three days. Being fully prepared, and in every way desirous of finding ourselves engaged in battle, we begged for leave to attack the enemy. But Dara, for two reasons, would not consent : the first was that he was waiting for Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh and his force, who could not be very long in coming ; even if they were delayed, he was sure that the enemy would never risk a crossing at this place, which was well occupied and fortified. The second reason was the inadvisability of attacking the enemy in a situation full of hollows and rocks, and altogether a dangerous place. All this time Aurangzeb persisted in his usual stratagems and intrigues. After having encamped his army on the farther side, not far from the river, he called together his generals. He said to them that they must be prepared to deliver battle, and be every one ready with his force of cavalry. In making haste lay their chance of victory, and full of confidence in their courage, he hoped \[185\] in a brief space to be victorious. They could not postpone the battle, seeing the danger of Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh's arrival. A report of the above speech reached the army of Dara, and was received with pleasure. Everybody made his preparations with the greatest eagerness, and expected every day that the enemy would come to attack us. ### [65.21.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.5) But Aurangzeb's secret plan was to win over Rajah Champet (Champat), to whom he sent valuable presents, proposing for him high rewards and making him liberal offers. He asked the rajah to allow him to pass through his territories in order to get across the river by another unknown ford, situated twelve leagues from us. These demands were conceded by Rajah Champat, hoping to avenge himself on Shahjahan for the acts I have already told you of (I. 142-144). Gained over by entreaties, and all unwitting of the misfortune that he had to undergo, the rajah accompanied Aurangzeb. The route was so difficult, the march so impeded by jungle and uneven ground, that Aurangzeb was unable to take with him the whole of his forces. He left his tents standing, and some of his men behind, by way of formality, in order to conceal his design the more effectually. He crossed the river (as I was told) with over eight thousand horsemen, and though they were all much fatigued, he made himself master of the crossing on the 30th of May, 1656 (i.e., 1658). This day was as full of joy for Aurangzeb as it was full of sadness for Dara. The latter, receiving a report of the carrying out of the above design, fell into a great rage with Champat, who had given his word that in no case would he allow Aurangzeb to cross, and it was for this reason that Dara had not blocked the ford in question. When the news came that Aurangzeb had actually crossed, Dara was desirous of moving personally in pursuit of him. ### [65.21.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.6) He was, however, well advised by the general Hebraim Can (Ibrahim Khan), son of Alimerda Can ('Ali Mardan Khan), to send instead, with the greatest expedition, twelve thousand horsemen to fall suddenly upon Aurangzeb and his soldiers, who were much fatigued, very scattered, and lying about on the river bank. But the traitor Khalilullah Khan, having heard that Dara had decided upon making this attempt, came to him and said that it was inadvisable; it would not add to his credit or reputation. For, of a certainty, the name and fame of any victory would accrue to the commander, and not to his highness. He ought not to listen to the advice of these boys, quite inexperienced in war; and it was a mistake to detach those twelve thousand cavalry from his division, for by so doing the victory which was now a certainty would become doubtful. The following day we marched in pursuit of Aurangzeb, but it was already too late. For during the night, and very early on the following morning, almost the whole remaining army of Aurangzeb came up, and quitting the river, we arrived in an extensive plain. ### [65.21.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21.7) It was the 1st of June of one thousand six hundred and fifty-six. We made use with great labour of the water in the ponds in the open fields, and the heat was stifling. Between the two armies there was not more than a league and a half's distance. During the time we were taking up ground for our army the rest of Aurangzeb's force continued to join his ranks, but the whole of his artillery and baggage had not arrived. Having detailed information of everything in Aurangzeb's force, and knowing his men were exhausted, Dara wanted to commence \[186\] the action. But the traitors intervened on astrological grounds by saying that neither the day nor the hour was favourable. He must postpone the battle. He was already sure of the victory, because he had a good army, with valiant and high-spirited soldiers quite sufficiently numerous for the destruction of Aurangzeb, who in comparison with him was an invisible speck on this earth. All this they did solely that Aurangzeb might have time to take rest, to refresh his people, and secure the arrival of his guns. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.21) · Pramāṇa