Storia do Mogor 65.38.3

65.38.3

The day before the battle, which was on the fifteenth of May of one thousand six hundred and fifty-seven (correctly, 1659), an astrologer named Cubatbeg (? Qutb Beg), a Mahomedan of Osbec (Uzbak) race, who had studied mathematics under Padre Buzeo, said privately to Aurangzeb that, according to the influences of the stars dominating the next day, there existed danger to the life of him who occupied the chief place in the army. Therefore he besought His Majesty not to occupy the place assigned to a king — that is, upon an elephant and covered by an umbrella, as is the usage in this kingdom of the Mogul. Since this mathematician had a great name, and was revered by everybody as a great astrologer, Aurangzeb took counsel with the leaders of his army. Among them was one called Secmir (Shekh Mir), his tutor, who offered to take the seat on the royal elephant and represent His Majesty's person. He held it to be an honour to give his life to save that of his royal master. Since he had given him his first instruction, he desired now, as a final sacrifice, to lose his life in his service, like a loyal subject. But it was absolutely necessary to keep the matter secret; and it were well that no one within or without the camp got any inkling of it. Aurangzeb accepted the offer of his tutor, and then directed orders to be issued throughout the camp that on the next day at dawn they must be ready to attack the enemy.