Storia do Mogor 65.24
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.24
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65.24.1
Already a victor in three encounters, Dara, when he heard this report, hastened with greater courage than ever to the reinforcement of the Rajputs against Murad Bakhsh. He felt certain that if this brother were put to death, he could easily gain his purpose. But his evil fate would not concede to him the effecting of this, however great and glorious he held himself to be. There now came to pass a treason that had never been looked for, such as none had ever seen, none could ever have imagined. It was the cause of Dara's total loss and ruin, although this did not appear at the time.
65.24.2
What happened was that the astute traitor Khalilullah Khan, using the pretext of a good chance of seizing Aurangzeb, came to Dara and acclaimed him as victor, and spoke to him thus : 'I know well that I have been in many battles and campaigns, and beheld the mighty deeds of renowned warriors, yet never have I heard of a prince like your highness, who, appearing for the first time in the battlefield, accomplished such valiant acts. One thing alone remains to display to the world your qualities — that is, the capture of Aurangzeb. I feel compassion for the fatigues your highness has already undergone, but it would be wrong to lose such a good opportunity. Yonder stands Aurangzeb with a scanty following ; let us go at once and seize him, as can be done without any difficulty. Let your highness be pleased to descend from your elephant and mount your horse, and ride at the head of your own cavalry and the squadrons committed to my charge. We will go together to the attack. It was for this alone that I saved my division, seeing that up to now there was no necessity for my engaging.'
65.24.3
Poor Dara ! without fully considering what he was doing, and what would follow when he was no longer to be seen on his elephant, towards which all turned their gaze ; but relying on the soft words of the traitor Khalilullah Khan, by which he allowed himself to be persuaded and deceived, he took the advice, as it appeared to him that what had been said was very true. He alighted from his elephant, and this was as if he had quitted victory ; for the soldiers and commanders, who in the midst of the battle kept an eye on Dara, not seeing him on his elephant, assumed that he must be already dead. For this reason they were thrown into great confusion.
65.24.4
I myself was in astonishment and in great dismay, not knowing what to imagine, finding all in confusion and Dara no longer visible on his elephant ; meanwhile the whole army was fleeing to the rear, like dark clouds blown by a high wind, seeking safety for their lives in the belief [193] that Aurangzeb, although still at a good distance, was already upon us. Dara, on beholding this great confusion and flight, fell into deep thought and saw now the mistake he had made and the plot laid for him by Khalilullah Khan. He repented him of the fault, but it was too late. Full of wrath and raging, he asked where was the traitor Khalilullah Khan. Let him be sought for and brought, for he meant to slay him. But the traitor was already far off. His lord having dismounted from his elephant and mounted his horse, he (Khalilullah Khan) rejoined his division, with the object of transferring himself and his soldiers to the side of Aurangzeb. The soldiers who followed him did not exceed five thousand horsemen ; the rest of those under his command were soldiers of King Shahjahan. But these latter fell into disorder like the others, finding themselves without a leader to direct them, owing to the treachery that had occurred.
65.24.5
These events of the battle which I have related occupied some three hours. The affair beginning at nine o'clock in the morning, it was near midday the rout took place. A great many men and a still greater number of horses and other animals were killed. The reason of this was that our horses were much out of condition, and not used to the heavy work of a battle ; while, on the contrary, Aurangzeb's horses were not overfed and were used to work. Other causes were the great heat prevailing, the want of water, and the excessive dust. It seemed to me more died in this way than by injury from weapons.
65.24.6
Leaving, then, the flight of Dara and my retirement from the field to be spoken of afterwards, let us tell now how Aurangzeb, seeing that Dara's army was in flight, took possession of the tents and baggage of that army. Already we have mentioned how Khalilullah Khan deserted to Aurangzeb's side with his five thousand horsemen. But great was the finesse with which he was received by Aurangzeb, now that he found his victory was assured. When this traitor appeared, Aurangzeb struck up his drums in sign of victory. All the soldiers collected and placed themselves under the orders of Aurangzeb, including Murad Bakhsh and his troops. A few words of congratulation were exchanged between them. Aurangzeb praised the valour of Murad Bakhsh, attributing to him the victory. He then presented to him that traitor Khalilullah Khan, and said he was the king's most faithful friend. It was as 'king' that he addressed Murad Bakhsh whenever he had to speak to him. Khalilullah Khan, he said, was the most loyal subject to be found in his realm; that he could be employed in the most difficult matters; that he knew well the high qualities and generosity of his king, Murad Bakhsh, and the fealty with which he must be served. He added words of praise for both Murad Bakhsh and Khalilullah Khan.
65.24.7
After all this, they set themselves in array and marched for the tents and camp of Dara. Aurangzeb and Murad Bakhsh advanced tranquilly, and when they were near, they ordered out some horsemen and infantry to reconnoitre the tents and dig up the ground round them to see if there were no powder-mines laid. They feared there might be treachery. Assured that there was no treachery, they both advanced to the tents of Dara, and, alighting from their elephants, entered. Aurangzeb remarked to Murad Bakhsh that it was the first day of his reign, renewed his congratulations on the victory, and behaved to him as to his sovereign and master. He offered him exaggerated respect in the presence of Khalilullah Khan and others then present. He went through a thousand bows and submissive gestures, just as if he were any insignificant servant. Here once more Murad Bakhsh received the traitor Khalilullah Khan with soft words and many promises. Leaving Murad Bakhsh at Dara's tents, everybody else withdrew.
65.24.8
Most people fathomed the purpose of Aurangzeb. While professing himself adverse to reigning and anxious to follow for ever the observances of a holy mendicant, all he did was out of refined policy, and only to arrive at being emperor. When the opportunity arose, Murad Bakhsh would certainly be destroyed. For this end he worked hard, writing day and night, and sending letters in all directions to every viceroy and governor in the empire. He took counsel with his maternal uncle, Shaistah Khan, a man of great sense, the greatest omarao (umara, noble) that there was in the country. This man was related to the greater number of the nobles, and was the oldest, best known, and best liked of them all. Aurangzeb asked him to write to all his friends in his (Aurangzeb's) favour, and to pursue Dara as persistently as he could. He (Aurangzeb) knew that Shaistah Khan would not fail to aid him, for he hated Shahjahan, and did not love Dara, but acted in every way as Aurangzeb desired.
65.24.9
Among other letters one was written by Aurangzeb to Rajah Jai Singh, also one to Daler Khan; these were the chief commanders under Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh and servants of Shahjahan. They were given to understand that henceforth there was nothing to be looked for in the way of benefits from Dara. He had already lost the battle, the last hope and only chance he had of reigning. The whole army of Dara had submitted to him (Aurangzeb), and was now at his orders; Dara was in solitary flight, but could never escape. He must fall into his (Aurangzeb's) hands, orders having issued throughout the empire to send him back a captive. They need not refer to Shahjahan, who was already very ill, and there was not the slightest hope of his surviving. They could plainly see, as men of good judgment, what course they had to adopt. If they desired to be well treated and be among his friends, they should listen to his advice and should bind Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh and produce him before him.
65.24.10
On getting this letter, Rajah Jai Singh found himself much embarrassed, and it troubled him greatly to decide what to do in the circumstances. He feared for the lives of Shahjahan and of Dara, and still more he disliked laying hands upon one of royal blood. He dreaded that, sooner or later, there might happen to him some great discomfiture, either from the old king, from Prince Dara, or from Aurangzeb himself. The latter, as I have seen, took the life of everyone who laid hands on one of the blood-royal, as I will tell you farther on. In addition to all this, Rajah Jai Singh well foresaw that Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh had too great courage to allow of his being taken quietly; that he would sooner die defending himself than fall into his enemies' hands.