[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) › 65.28 # Storia do Mogor 65.28 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.28 - **Language:** English ### [65.28.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.1) At one time I knew some women left to serve Shahjahan and Begam Sahib, whose business it was to receive and reply to letters and notes arriving from outside. They assured me that such a letter never reached the court of Shahjahan. Aurangzeb started these stories solely to the end of conciliating the people and excusing his deceptions. He wanted to place the culpability upon Shahjahan and Dara, and to prove that all the tyranny employed against his father was amply justifiable. At this time there happened a ridiculous occurrence, known to everybody. Begam Sahib's musician, called Dulera, seeing that Shahjahan and Begam Sahib were prisoners, and there was no hope of getting the accustomed presents; planned the acquisition of new friends. He went to see several of Murad Bakhsh's commanders, and was well received, for he could sing to perfection. Being in merry mood, the wine began to go round. Dulera, already heated, ran down the wine they gave him. He ordered his servants to fetch some more exquisite wine, such as he always drank. ### [65.28.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.2) The officers noticed the grand ways of the musician; and when the wine arrived, they found it was in bottles of gold and enamel, adorned with precious stones, such as the officers themselves did not possess. Dulera exalted himself a good deal in his talk, assuming to be the equal of the officers. Seeing so much impudence and assumption, and also moved by the envy and resentment they felt towards Begam Sahib, they had him bound, and stripping him of his trousers, forced a lighted night-lamp into his anus, leaving it to burn until the musician begged pardon for his transgressions. They sent him off with blows and kicks. This occurrence made him lower the lofty ideas that he had, and retiring to his house he stayed there until his death, and never appeared again. Finding himself already practically with control over all the nobles at court, and Shahjahan securely lodged in prison, Aurangzeb appointed his maternal uncle, Shaistah Khan, governor of the city of Agrah. Taking out of the treasury whatever money he wanted, he and Murad Bakhsh started in pursuit of Dara. The latter was already in Lahor raising a new army, having lost all hope of aid from Sulaiman Shukoh. ### [65.28.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.3) On the day that the two armies quitted Agrah, which was in the beginning of June, I disguised myself as a holy mendicant and joined their train, meaning to stick to the service of Dara. The eunuch Shahbaz and the more intimate friends of Murad Bakhsh advised him to allow Aurangzeb to go after Dara by himself, while he should conduct an investment of Agrah and Dihli with his army, which was already far larger than before. But, not perceiving the finessing and wiliness of Aurangzeb, he relied on the promises and oaths of fidelity which had been made to him upon the Alcorao (the Quran). He neglected to listen to these faithful men, and allowed himself to be played with by that fabricator and deceiver. The two armies took the route for Dihli, the one at a distance from the other of a short mile or so. They marched along the bank of the river Jamnah until they were near to an ancient Hindu town called Matora (Mathura), distant eighteen leagues from Agrah, where there is an imposing temple. During the march a great number of Dara's men came in, and several of the defeated officers. These sought service with Murad Bakhsh, and he granted them high pay. Daler Khan also arrived, he who had deserted Sulaiman Shukoh. He visited Aurangzeb, who paid him a thousand civilities, and gave him many presents with an increase of pay. Jai Singh departed for his own territories. ### [65.28.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.4) On the way Aurangzeb omitted nothing in pretended deference and consideration for Murad Bakhsh. He sent him several times during the day men with quantities of fruit and choice flowers, repeating that he must prepare himself; for, in a few days' time, he meant to crown him (Murad Bakhsh) king. To this intent he ordered to be made ready a number of new tents, raiment, jewels, caparisoned elephants and horses. He also ostentatiously began to collect food to be cooked in his kitchen, sweetmeats, several kinds of scent, and flowers. Orders were given to all the dancing-women and musicians to prepare and hold themselves in readiness. ### [65.28.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.5) I noticed that in Aurangzeb's army there was a great deal of secret confabulation with nods and metaphors (a habit very common in Hindustan), such as 'The tiger big with young will soon bring forth,' or, as others said, 'The sick man can never recover.' Thus the intention of Aurangzeb was sufficiently obvious to his people. But in the army of Murad Bakhsh there was nothing but music, dancing, wine-bibbing, and revelry. Still, many friends of Murad Bakhsh, and, above all, the eunuch Shahbaz, pressed on him that Aurangzeb had evil designs; that without a doubt there would be some trickery; they had information from several sources that Aurangzeb was setting some trap for him. But he (Murad Bakhsh), infatuated \[204\] with the lying words of his brother, and intoxicated with power, paid no heed to such advice, holding the erroneous opinion that his brother's oaths were sincere, and his soft words the daughters of truth. ### [65.28.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.6) Before reaching Mathura, Aurangzeb selected a place called Coliquigat (Koli-ki-ghat). It was spacious, open, and every way suited for such a joyful day as a coronation, both by the loveliness of the country and the charms of the river. The latter seemed by the murmurs of its waters either to rejoice at the good luck of Aurangzeb, now almost arrived at the accomplishment of his purpose, or to weep over the disenchantment of Murad Bakhsh. When he was looking forward to being crowned, surrounded by the nobles and generals in his service and subjection, Murad Bakhsh found himself instead in the hands of the soldiers of retributory justice, and was made to pay the penalty of his obstinacy. For he would not listen to his faithful advisers, who said they were certain of Aurangzeb's evil designs. ### [65.28.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.7) On the 15th of June, after a halt of four days at the above place, Aurangzeb sent his son Sultan Muhammad and all the great captains to invite Murad Bakhsh to visit his camp, where his desire would be fulfilled, and the pledge given him redeemed by his being crowned as king. The said day was pronounced by the astrologers to be propitious. Then Murad Bakhsh arranged to start, never imagining that a prison awaited him. But the faithful Shahbaz and other officers entreated him to send an excuse for that day, informing Aurangzeb that he had a slight ailment, and that another day must be fixed. In the interval he could make more certain of what Aurangzeb was working for. Several of Aurangzeb's officers continued their visits, and through them he could find out the truth. But he would not listen to them any more, and the advice was thrown away, for Prince Murad Bakhsh had no distrust of Aurangzeb. More fixed than ever in his purpose, and relying on the oath of his brother, he mounted his horse, and set out for the tents of Aurangzeb, attended by Shahbaz and other officers. ### [65.28.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.8) At a short distance from his tents he was met by an officer, Ibrahim Khan. This was the man who advised Dara, after the river passage had been forced, to send off twelve thousand cavalry against Aurangzeb, as I have related (I. 185). After a salutation he approached, and laying hold of the prince's reins, asked in a low voice, with a perturbed face, where he was going. Murad Bakhsh replied very quietly that he was on his way to declare himself absolute monarch. The officer replied : ' I rejoice greatly ; but what is the necessity for your highness to go to another's house, when with greater security you can carry it out in your own ?' Saying this, he gently turned Murad Bakhsh's horse round. But he in a rage resumed his course, and the officer, seeing the deliberate resolve and determination of the prince, said aloud : ' Your majesty is on your way to prison.' Hearing this, Shahbaz would not lose this occasion, and drawing up to his master, prayed him for the love of God and the great Muhammad to be pleased to accept the advice of the officer. But Murad Bakhsh laid his hand on his sword, and exclaimed : ' Asman que si bahader nis ' (Az man kase bahadur nist) — that is to say, ' None is braver than I am.' He went on until he reached the entrance to the tent of Aurangzeb. At this moment the qazi came out, and while making a lowly reverence, whispered : ' With your feet you have come,' meaning thereby that when he came out it would be against his will. ### [65.28.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.9) But he, bewitched by the friendliness of Aurangzeb, did not pause to reflect, but went within. Aurangzeb now multiplied his wiles, and came out to greet him, along with Sec Mir (Shekh Mir) and his brother, Amircan (Amir Khan), and other officers, his intimates and devoted followers, handsomely attired, and with beaming faces. Embracing him, he (Aurangzeb) expressed the abundant love he had for him, cajoling him \[205\] with obsequious bows and many expressions of civility. Leading him to a great and handsome seat, he prayed him to be seated, and drove away the flies by agitating a handkerchief gently before his face, wiping away the sweat and the dust, and treating him throughout as king and lord. Then there appeared men and women musicians, and during their singing flowers were scattered and rose-water sprinkled everywhere; also many scents and perfumes were employed. Outside the tents different instruments struck up, and within were the dances of the ballet girls. At all this Murad Bakhsh was elated and pleased, as if already in enjoyment of the first-fruits of his glory. Three hours after his arrival, when it may have been two o'clock in the afternoon, they began the feast. Aurangzeb had beforehand ordered his officers to invite those of Murad Bakhsh to their tents, and the whole night was spent in mirth. ### [65.28.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28.10) Word of all this passed through the camp, and Murad Bakhsh's soldiers, seeing that their officers had settled down to a night of festivity, on their side made plans to go out in search of supplies and forage for their horses. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.28) · Pramāṇa