[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) › 65.31 # Storia do Mogor 65.31 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.31 - **Language:** English ### [65.31.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.1) Dara believed in him, and at once ordered them to give him a million of rupees (1,000,000 = ten lakhs!). He left for his own country, promising to return very soon, equipped in every way. When Aurangzeb learnt what the rajah had done, he wrote him a letter, which sufficed to make him disappoint Dara. The latter, being informed that Aurangzeb was marching onwards, wrote letter after letter to Rajrup Singh urging him to come and make no more delay, for the time when his aid was wanted was now drawing near. But he never answered, and remained in his own country with the money he had received, and the poor prince beheld the hopes he had in this man disappear. Aurangzeb was aware that Dara did not want for loyal officers, among them the great Da,ud Khan being the most faithful of all. Seeking a method for taking this man away from the prince his brother, and attracting him into his own service, he sent messengers to the crossing upon the river, where this officer was posted, to inquire of his intentions. Would he agree to become one of his (Aurangzeb's) officers ? But Da,ud Khan, ever firm, fixed, and faithful to Dara's interests, replied that he had already given as a sacrifice his life and goods for the service of Dara, and he would accept no other's proposals. ### [65.31.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.2) This matter gave an opening for Aurangzeb to sharpen his wits, never being at a loss for some trick. In order to throw Da,ud Khan out of favour with Dara, he caused a forged letter to be written as in the name of Da,ud Khan, making him say as follows : ' Your majesty may rest assured that at the first opportunity I will do what I promised, and never be false to my word.' Aurangzeb so managed that this letter fell into the hands of Dara. Thereby Dara began to suspect not only Da,ud Khan, but all his officers, as it appeared they had already fallen under the influence of Aurangzeb. He ceased to treat Da,ud Khan on the same familiar terms as formerly. Da,ud Khan felt that the prince entertained some suspicion of him. He therefore decided to fall on his knees in Dara's presence (as he did) ; then taking off his sword, he laid it on the ground and said : ' If your majesty has any doubt of my fidelity, order me to go and loyally offer my life in the defence of your person and family.' On hearing this speech, Dara took compassion on him and began to have an idea that the letter was forged. ### [65.31.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.3) But many days had not passed before Aurangzeb wrote another letter to Da,ud Khan in which he asked why he delayed so long in fulfilling his promise to lay before him in a short time the head of Dara. He could not fathom the reason of such delay. This letter fell, as was intended by Aurangzeb, into the hands of Dara. The sight of it totally destroyed his confidence in Da,ud Khan. Word was sent to him not to appear again at court; his appointment was taken from him, and everybody fell under suspicion. Finding himself in this great extremity, and Aurangzeb still continuing his march by forced stages, Dara made up his mind to remove to the kingdom of Kabul, and thence implore succour from the King of Persia. He therefore despatched an envoy to Mahabat Khan, who was governor of the Kabul kingdom, and to the Pathans of the hill-country, requesting them to give him free passage on his way to Persia. But his object was not to pass through, it was to obtain possession of, that kingdom, and thereby increase his strength. Mahabat Khan remembered their former disputes, of which I have spoken (I. 155), and sent him the reply that it would be better to choose another road, because no reliance could be placed upon the Pathans in the hills, thus throwing upon others the blame for his own disinclination. ### [65.31.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.4) Dara penetrated sufficiently the object of Mahabat Khan, and, adopting a new idea, now gave orders that all the artillery and munitions of war got ready by Shahjahan for taking the fortress of Qandahar should be embarked on boats. To these were added all the treasures that he had carried with him, and at that time present in Lahor. Other appliances for strengthening the fortress of Bacar (Bhakkar) were added. Aware that Aurangzeb was drawing nearer and nearer, and distrusting his officers, having a force insufficient \[213\] for resistance, Dara sent an order to withdraw the few men and guns posted at the river crossing. He directed his powder-magazine to be blown up, which was speedily done. He then left Lahor in the end of October one thousand six hundred and fifty-six (correctly 1658). He took with him the whole of his family, and at the head of eight thousand horsemen started for the city of Moltan (Multan), which lies on the bank of the river Ravi, the same river as at Lahor. The distance of that city (Multan) from Lahor is ten days' journey. I made up my mind not to march along with Dara, owing to some business, but to leave on the third day. During the second day I passed before the door of the officer second in command of the artillery, a Turk by race, called Rumican (Rumi Khan), who was busy in preparations and the enlistment of men; he had also some field-pieces, which he meant to take with him. ### [65.31.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.5) As soon as he saw me he called me, and as I got near, ordered me to dismount at once. He asked me where I was off to, and I answered that I was on my way to make preparations to start for the army. He told me to sit down, and said he also was starting that day: he would send to fetch my baggage, and I could go with him. I was suspicious, believing that he distrusted me, and I concluded that it would not suit me to march with him; for then it could be said that he had brought me by force, which would be to my discredit. So I answered him by praying his leave to go to my house to collect some cash and pay my debts, and to put together my things; after that I would come back and join him. But the obstinate Turk would not listen to me nor give me leave, so it came to my deciding absolutely to kill him, if he would not allow me to go. For it was not right for me to be made to march by force. I was in Dara's service, had a good reputation, and wished to rejoin without the slightest delay. Thus I told him plainly that the favours I had received from Dara left me under such obligation that I would sooner lose my life than miss an occasion to prove my gratitude to my king. For Dara I would sacrifice my person; and if he did not believe me, let him send twenty horsemen with me to my house, which was close by \[214\]. I would then come back with them. Thus I spoke to him, having absolutely the intention of killing him, although I should lose my own life, if he refused. ### [65.31.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.6) But God was good to me! For the Turk accepted this my ultimatum, and sent with me twenty horsemen with express orders to bring me back to his presence. I got on my horse highly delighted, and went on faster and faster, paying no heed to their telling me to go slowly. They urged on their horses to overtake me. This irritated me, so I turned in my seat with an angry face, and, laying hold of my sword, so threatened them that they were afraid and drew back. They contented themselves by following me at a distance until I went in with a rush into the house of a friend, leaving the escort at the door. Directly I had got inside, I seized a musket that was standing in a corner, and then went for them, discharging the piece to frighten them. Next, laying hold of my sword, I shouted, 'Strike, strike!' though without much hope of success. But they, supposing there were a number of us, scattered in all directions. ### [65.31.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31.7) After the flight of these horsemen, I told my friend to get upon his horse and come along with me. For, when the news should reach that officer, he would send a great many more soldiers and capture us if we stayed. He would not listen, and, leaving him in his house, I mounted on horseback, and went outside the city until night came on. Then I came home peacefully. My poor friend had been carried off against his will, as I had prophesied. Next morning I removed such chattels as I could not carry with me to the house of another friend. When I was about to bind my bundle on my horse's back, meaning to start on my journey to rejoin the army and Prince Dara, there appeared one of the officers set over the kotwal's pions (policemen), who was very drunk. This man had complete control over that officer of justice (the kotwal). He began to abuse me, and with harsh words ran down Dara's followers. I dissembled and made use of all my patience, which conquers everything, chiefly because I saw there would soon be a change in the government of the city through the departure of Dara. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.65.31) · Pramāṇa