Storia do Mogor 65.43
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 65.43
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65.43.1
But Aurangzeb, who wanted to marry her, sent once more to say that her beauty was great, that he would count her as one of his wives. She ought to assume that he was that same Dara. Not one point should be omitted in the pre-eminence due to a queen, nor in her rights as sovereign lady, being, as she was, wife of his brother. But the brave Ra'na-dil went into her apartments, and taking a knife, slashed her face all over, and collecting the blood in a cloth, sent it to Aurangzeb, saying that if he sought the beauty of her face it was now undone, and if her blood gratified him he was welcome. Encountering such resolution, Aurangzeb ceased his solicitations, yielding high esteem to her, and treating her with the courtesy deserved by her constancy.
65.43.2
This Ra'na-dil was of humble birth, a public dancing-girl belonging to King Shahjahan, with whom Prince Dara fell in love through her exceeding beauty, and wanted to take her to wife. The emperor, his father, was opposed to this, not wishing to give offence to Nur Mahal, the principal wife of Dara. The prince took the matter so much to heart that he began to fade away from this passion, and at last reached almost the last extremity. When Shahjahan saw the extremity of the prince, his son, he consented to his taking her as wife. By this she felt she had been so honoured, that on the death of her prince she would accept of no other husband. For the little time afterwards that she lived no one ever saw her in lively spirits or giving any sign of pleasure. After the death of Prince Dara, the common people composed a song about Fortune and the little durability of its glories, it having placed Aurangzeb on the throne, made Shahjahan a prisoner, and decapitated Prince Dara [262]. It said: 'In turn it changed the faqir's (Aurangzeb's) cowl, and beheaded the prince in passing.' When Aurangzeb heard about this ballad, he ordered an announcement to be made that no one should sing it under penalty of losing his tongue. But the song was so pitiful that almost everybody sang it in concealment.
65.43.3
Now I deal with our departure from Bhakkar. After surrendering the fortress, we made over the treasure and the unhappy princes, the little sons of Sulaiman Shukoh, of whom nothing more was ever heard, and it seems as if by order of Aurangzeb they were got rid of within the fortress. After fifteen days the eunuch and all the people in the fort embarked in some boats, and we voyaged by the river to Multan against the stream, but with a favourable wind. In four-and-twenty days we reached the said city, then governed by Lascar Can (Lashkar Khan). He sent an invitation to our eunuch to honour him by dining at his house. But the eunuch replied that he would have liked it much, but the haste he was in did not allow of his accepting. He suspected some treachery, and it seems as if his heart gave him a presage of what was to befall him, as I shall relate.
65.43.4
At this city of Multan we provisioned ourselves for a start by land to the city of Dihli, distant five-and-twenty days' journey. One day a Portuguese, by name Agostinho Dias, begged me to abandon the company of the eunuch, because he knew of a certainty that there existed an order of Aurangzeb for his seizure and execution. We quitted Multan, and in ten days reached the city of Lahor, then governed by Khalilullah Khan. Our eunuch settled himself in a house of his own, which was on the river bank. His men scattered in various directions, there not being enough room in the above house. We Europeans were at a distance of half a mile from Primavera (Basant).
65.43.5
On the third day after our arrival he (Basant) sent for me, but I did not go, as it was already evening. By another messenger he told me to come to him very early in the morning. At daybreak I mounted my horse, and on the road I met a former servant of mine called Delavar (Dilawar), who asked me where I was going. I replied that I was going to the eunuch's house. At this he fell into a fright, and said that for God's sake I must not go. For everybody [263] said that the eunuch would most certainly be killed on that day, and I could easily notice the changes in the city, the soldiers and troopers being posted at so many places. He demanded with much insistence that I should turn back, and reflecting a little, I remembered the advice of Agostinho Dias. In spite of this, the love and the gratitude I felt to the eunuch impelled me to go on to his house without considering the danger.
65.43.6
Pricking on my steed, I shortly reached the house. Going within, I sat down by Khojah Basant, finding him somewhat perturbed, and a few only in his company. He said to me softly that he had something to say to me. At this moment there appeared in the distance several bodies of horse with banners displayed. All of a sudden there came a horseman to the eunuch, and, addressing him politely, said: 'Khalilullah Khan sends many compliments to your excellency, and intimates that he has received the king's order for your excellency to come forthwith into the city, to a house already prepared for you, where you may remain in perfect safety.' With equal civility the eunuch replied: 'I am only a passer-by; I go to the royal presence, nor have I anything to do with the city; I return many thanks for Khalilullah Khan's kindness.' The messenger started off with the reply, and the eunuch, seeing that troops were appearing, became a little bit frightened. He asked me if I could produce my men without delay. I replied that there must be some delay, and that they could not arrive in time, owing to their being so far away. At this point the soldiers present in the room, after whispering into each other's ears, rose one by one and went out. I remained seated along with ten persons, who were house-servants, and, foreseeing the danger, I was anxious to leave, but the pride of a youth devoid of experience hindered me, and I wanted to see the end of it and what would happen.
65.43.7
Then came another message like the first, but more urgent, with this detail; that if he did not give heed to it he ran in danger of his life. But the eunuch gave the same answer, and the infantry and cavalry continued to draw in nearer. During this time the eunuch was looking on calmly at all that was taking place outside, for the place where we were was a little elevated, with a view of the river sands. It had the shade of some great trees, and was enclosed all round with a low wall. On the bank of the river, near the wall and below our position, stood a relation of the eunuch Primavera (Basant) on horseback, lance in rest, waiting to give up his life if need arose.
65.43.8
When the third message came with great urgency, begging the eunuch for God's sake to come into the fort in obedience to the king's order, adding the intimation that it was his last warning, he answered not at all. We saw the messenger start at a run, and it was no joking matter, for the cavalry continued to advance, and drawing their swords shouted to the horsemen, who heard not, through the uproar that had already begun. The house was encircled by a number of infantry, while on the river sands several squadrons rode from different directions, discharging arrows that fell like rain in the place where we were. The cavalier related to the eunuch, finding that the thing was serious, began to skirmish, pushing his horse at those squadrons, with his lance at the charge, until he got stuck in a marshy place full of mire, where, unable to move, he was killed by the arrows. The infantry tried to scale the wall, but we defended ourselves and prevented them from climbing over. Among others, we killed the kotwal's son, whereat being enraged they set upon us with still greater fury, and one resolute man leapt over behind the eunuch, and at once cut off his head. Primavera (Basant) had been resisting vigorously on the other side. Many more scrambled over and began to cut down the few of us found here and there.
65.43.9
The man that cut off the eunuch's head and some others came against me with great rage, and seeing that our defence was overcome, I went straight to them, and, throwing my sword on the ground, stepped two paces to the front. Placing myself humbly before them, I lowered my head and said : ' Slay me, slay me !' and, shutting my eyes, I awaited the blow. But finding it came not, I lifted my head, and saw a soldier of the same troop of the enemy standing between us two. With hands extended, he was begging on behalf of God that they should not kill me [265]. But the other most angrily, his raised sword dripping with blood, ordered him to get out of the way. He who was pleading for me said : ' First kill me, and spare this other.' My assailant, seeing the determination of his fellow-soldier, went off to find someone else, and left me alone. He who saved me took me by the hand and led me away, saying : ' Come with me ; I want to deliver you and place you in safety.' But I, knowing the instability of the Mahomedans, said to him that as he wanted to kill me, he need practise no deception on me, as I was ready for my fate ; there was no need to remove me from that place ; but if he wanted to kill me, he could do it where we were. Seeing what was in my mind, he sheathed his sword, and gave me his word not to hurt me, but at the cost of his life would prevent others doing so, and take me to a place of safety.