[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) › 65.27 # Storia do Mogor 65.27 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.27 - **Language:** English ### [65.27.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.1) Although already caught as in a cage, Shahjahan never desisted from firing his guns and his musketry to hold back the investing force from nearer approach. But no damage was done, the enemy being safely under cover, and without need to return the fire. The guns were loaded and discharged for three days and three nights, making a great noise. At the end of that time the artillerymen, at whose head was the man called Rabin Simitt (? Reuben Smith) \[200\], an Englishman, commenced to escape, descending the walls by ropes. They had been bribed by Aurangzeb, who communicated with them by letting fly an arrow into the fort. The remainder of the garrison, when they saw the departure of the artillerymen, lost heart, and began also to plan the means of flight. At this time Aurangzeb sent in a petition to Shahjahan, making excuses for the delay there had been in coming to pay his visit. He made use of the pretext that he had been ill, that he was unable to come, and that meanwhile, against his will, his restless soldiers had taken the initiative. Now he begged leave to send his son Sultan Muhammad to visit him, and pay to him his most humble respects. Then, restored to health, as would soon be the case, he would be able to perform this duty in person. ### [65.27.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.2) Shahjahan agreed to this proposal, in the hope of still executing his project. To this intent he made ready many lengths of valuable cloth to be presented to Sultan Muhammad, who was to be received with great pomp. He wanted to see if by this method he could draw Aurangzeb. But that Machiavelli was very far from having that sort of feeling. His orders to Sultan Muhammad were, on the contrary, that on reaching the gate of the fort, he should enter promptly, and secure the entrance. Then he should bring in all his men, killing anyone that resisted. These instructions were carried out by his son, without omitting a single point. Shahjahan was greatly amazed at this treachery, being then in his palace amid his women, over two thousand in number, all resolved to die in defence of their lord. From this cause Aurangzeb did not push matters farther, fearing that there might happen to him some misfortune in carrying to the end his design. He knew the proverb: 'Quem todo quer, todo lo perde' \['He who wants everything loses everything' — or the French: 'Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint.'\] He sent word to his father that he should take his ease in his harem, that he was no longer in a state to rule, that he should enjoy himself with his ladies and abandon all anxiety. For he (Aurangzeb) took the whole weight of the empire on himself. When Aurangzeb effected this project Shahjahan was sixty-one years of age, and had reigned thirty-two years and three months. ### [65.27.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.3) Finding that by this time it was no longer in his power to do anything likely to secure his liberty, Shahjahan invented a plot which, if successful, would have been the overthrow of Aurangzeb. Thus was necessity a subtle counsellor. His device was to send for Sultan Muhammad to his presence, on the pretext that, finding him so able, he intended to make him king. The prince would never fail with such a bait to come to the palace without an hour's delay, and would never neglect this excellent chance of getting the crown from the hands of his grandfather, coupling with it a deed pleasing to God and the whole world by setting free one unjustly oppressed. But Sultan Muhammad, a man of sense, was not carried away by the words of his grandfather. He knew certainly that all his own leaders and the majority of men in the city were well affected to Aurangzeb, his father, since they had invited \[201\] him to come. If he attempted what his grandfather proposed, he would fall into the same condition as the old man. Thus he declined to listen to or accept the proposal, nor did he set foot within the palace. He sent instead a rough answer that he had no orders from his father either to visit or to listen to him. He had injunctions not to return without bringing the keys of all the gates of the fortress. ### [65.27.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.4) Shahjahan did not lose his wits, but replied that his grandson could come freely and in all security into the palace. He longed to embrace him, and into his hands he would deliver the keys, not only of the fortress but of all the empire, making over the crown to him. But Sultan Muhammad persisted in his resolve, and replied that those words were mere vanity ; it was no longer the time to talk thus. Let him send the keys, unless he wanted to be reduced to a worse state. Finding him thus resolute, Shahjahan made up his mind to send the keys. For he observed the great activity of Sultan Muhammad and the people under him. They allowed no food-supplies to pass. The people inside suffered hunger and thirst, and little by little they were forced to abandon the post they occupied near the private apartments, which is called the 'Am chai' (? 'Am-Khas), where Shahjahan gave audience. Finding himself in this plight and without any security for his person, he sent the keys. His determination was that if the enemy advanced farther, he would elect to die by force, with the women, eunuchs, and Asad Khan. The latter declined to leave his king, and kept the door to the harem, just as if he were a humble servitor. This he did out of the great affection and loyalty that he had for Shahjahan. ### [65.27.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.5) When he sent the keys, Shahjahan forwarded a message for Aurangzeb that he must come to see him at once : he had business of very great importance to consult him upon. He hoped thus to get him into the harem and assassinate him. But Aurangzeb, sagacious, able, and quick-witted, only laughed at such words. He sent instead a trusty eunuch that Shahjahan had given him long before, called Atbarcan (I'tibar Khan). This man now succeeded in shutting up Shahjahan in his harem with Begam Sahib and the rest of the women, removing Roshan-ara Begam, the beloved sister of Aurangzeb, who was despatched with great pomp. ### [65.27.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.6) Then I'tibar Khan caused many gates and wickets to be built up, posting here and there harsh women guardians in such a way that Shahjahan could neither speak nor write to any stranger, nor come out from the door of his harem to enjoy a stroll in his garden without the eunuch's leave. Even here Aurangzeb's astuteness did not end. As justification for his acts, and to turn away the people from Shahjahan, he prepared a forged letter in his (Shahjahan's) name. It was addressed to Dara, and advised him not to go very far away from Agrah; for already the time was near when he would see his rebellious and inimical brothers slain by the very hands of him whose misfortune it was to be their father, those monsters filled with the basest barbarities. Soon Aurangzeb and Murad Bakhsh would come to visit him; they would enter alive, but never come out on their own feet. They would be carried out by the hands of others bearing them to burial. Then if he (Dara), his faithful and only son, would come to Agrah, he could enjoy and rule over the empire. ### [65.27.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.7) This forged letter was brought to Aurangzeb when he was giving audience, and many people were present at court. It was opened by Shaistah Khan. On hearing its contents, Aurangzeb feigned consternation, and his face blanched; he began striking the ground with his feet and beating his pillows with his open hand; he made display of the greatest terror, as at some most displeasing news, and betrayed all the signs of having learnt of some great treachery. He held his head down in thought, and then directed the letter to be read aloud, and after that told them to give it to anyone who wanted to read it for himself. By these actions everybody was greatly terrified. Then, resuming his wiles, Aurangzeb expressed his desire to see his father, and said the letter might be a forgery. Thereupon the great men in attendance urged that his highness should not run any such risk. But he, multiplying his devices, would not be appeased. ### [65.27.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27.8) He (Aurangzeb) directed the votes of all at court to be taken whether it was advisable or not for him to pay this visit. All with one consent replied that it was undesirable, nor would they ever consent to it. At this answer he pretended to be very hurt and aggrieved, though inwardly rejoicing. He decided to write a note to his father, which he caused to be read out to the whole court before he sealed it. Among other arguments this note stated that he knew of a certainty that, in spite of all the great protestations of esteem made to him, and the displeasure declared against Dara, and all the warm affection said to be retained for him (Aurangzeb), he (Shahjahan) had nevertheless made over to Dara on his leave-taking mule-loads of gold coin, simply to pay a new force to oppose him (Aurangzeb). But, all the same, he (Aurangzeb) would never desist until he had captured Dara, the cause of all these troubles. After this design was achieved, on that very same day, he would undoubtedly visit Shahjahan, and submit to him like an obedient son. Furthermore, he besought him to pardon him, and not to persist in his anger. When he had crushed the power and overcome the ill designs of Dara, he would himself throw open the doors and make him lord and master, as before. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.27) · Pramāṇa