[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) › 81 # Storia do Mogor 81: The Rajahs come to Court. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 81 - **Language:** English ### The Rajahs come to Court. ### [81.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81.1) Whilst Aurangzeb was restoring order in the affairs of the kingdom, with a view to the peace and good government of his subjects, the Hindu princes came to court, some to secure his friendship and push their fortunes, others to obtain a position in his military forces \[15\]. Aurangzeb never failed to receive them, but he could not satisfy them all, it being a defect of our nature that everyone thinks he deserves more than he gets. Thus there were three of these princes who would not accept the offers the conqueror made to them, putting forward the excuse that they were princes of too high standing to accept the pay and rank assigned to them. Aurangzeb dissembled and made no demonstration of displeasure, whence the princes, supposing he had great need of them, became more proud and vain-glorious than ever, after having given such an answer. But three days afterwards he gave secret orders for their beheadal. Thus, not suspecting anything, they found themselves with the bare sword at their necks. Their excuses and the protestations they made were of no avail. They were all three beheaded, and their heads stuck upon the gateway of the royal fortress. By this act the other princes were alarmed, and accepted without a word the conditions laid down by Aurangzeb. ### [81.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81.2) He gave orders that with all haste thirty thousand horsemen and fifty field-pieces should be sent against Rajah Caran (Karan). The general in command was Razandascan (Ra'dandaz Khan). The rajah had declined to come to court after Aurangzeb's coronation, and precise orders were given that they should bring back the recusant's head. The matter became known to Rajah Jai Singh, who was related to the said Rajah Karan, and he requested the king to have a little patience, and he would take upon himself to make Rajah Karan come and pay his respects at court. To this intent he (Jai Singh) wrote to the said rajah that it was inadvisable to set up opposition to such a powerful and victorious monarch as Aurangzeb. Let him accept his advice, given as a relation and a friend, to come in at once. He should not take to arms, for Aurangzeb was powerful ; and if the king made war on him, he (Jai Singh) could no longer be his friend nor help him in any way ; on the contrary, he should be forced to oppose him and join in the quarrel. ### [81.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81.3) Rajah Karan, one of the most powerful of the Hindus, replied to Rajah Jai Singh that he was grateful for his kindness, but he could not act against the precedents set by his ancestors, none of whom had ever consented to appear at court; thus he was resolved rather to lose his life a thousand times than disregard ancient custom. He therefore earnestly entreated him to settle the matter with the king, but in such a way that he should not be forced to go to court; as for the rest, he would approve whatever he agreed to as mediator. Rajah Jai Singh made proposals to Aurangzeb, who, seeing the firmness of Rajah Karan, contented himself with passing over the matter, but ordered the rajah to proceed to the Dakhin against a Bijapur rebel called Xevagi (Shiva Ji), as to which campaign I will speak hereafter (II. 55). ### [81.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81.4) Rajah Karan complied, but more as if he were going for a stroll than on a warlike expedition, for he only marched at night, and never farther than a league \[16\], or thereabouts. Aurangzeb knew all, but thought fitting to conceal it, that others might not have occasion to rebel against him, for the reason that in the early part of his reign they saw he did not uphold the privileges of anyone. Thus do intelligent princes act at times with dissimulation, and content themselves with little, in order to make a future haul of much greater value. He who at the commencement of his authority shows himself timid in dealing with the great, sees reason afterwards to repent of his timidity when it is too late. This was the procedure by which Aurangzeb strengthened himself in his kingdom, displaying harshness, where he dared, as an example to others, and leaving alone the resolute who could injure his plans, as can be seen in the following case, although it appeared to be a dishonour to him. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.81) · Pramāṇa