Storia do Mogor 91: Illness of Aurangzeb.
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 91
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Illness of Aurangzeb.
91.1
Some time after the departure of the ambassador, Aurangzeb fell ill of sudden fever, which was so severe that it caused delirium, and the doctors were unable to reduce the heat of the blood. As a last remedy they decided to bleed him, as was done. But Aurangzeb being very restless on his bed, it happened that by the movements of his body the bandage came undone, and the blood began to flow. By the time the physician, called Aquim el Mulq (Hakim-ul-Mulk), had arrived much blood had already been lost ; the physician, though in a great fright, tied the bandage anew. Aurangzeb, owing to the great heat he was in, wanted to eat water-melons, and Hakim-ul-Mulk incautiously gave him permission. Thus, through eating water-melons, he had a paralysis of the tongue, so that he very nearly lost his power of speech entirely, and the physicians were doubtful about his recovery.
91.2
Believing that there was no hope of her brother surviving, Roshan Ara Begam took away the royal seal and wrote to many rajahs and generals on behalf of Sultan A'zam, then nine years of age and actually living in the harem. When the mother of Sultan Mu'azzam learnt this, she said to Roshan Ara Begam that what she was doing was not right, thus to rouse the empire, setting on foot in it confusion and disquiet [39], while the king was still alive and there was hope of his recovery. Having said this, she proceeded to the king's bedside, but Roshan Ara Begam boldly seized her by the hair and ejected her from the royal chamber. The queen, not to afflict her suffering husband, bore it quietly and patiently. Meanwhile, it was terrible to see the city of Dihli in such confusion. Rumours were current that the king was already dead; wherefore everyone made preparations for doing what best suited his own affairs. Others said that though the king was alive, there was no hope of his recovery, that Rajah Jaswant Singh was coming from Gujarat to free Shahjahan from prison, and that Mahabat Khan would surely come for the same purpose. I leave the reader to imagine what confusion there must have been in a city the capital of a kingdom which had been accustomed to recognise as king none but the one who, after the defeat of all others, came out sole victor.
91.3
Roshan Ara Begam was the causer of all this uproar. She allowed no one to see the sick Aurangzeb, except one eunuch belonging to her faction. But Sultan Mu'azzam, who was sixteen years of age and lived outside the fort, in the mansion of Prince Dara, was afraid that his father was already dead, and that Roshan Ara Begam did not want the news to spread until she had persuaded the Hindu princes to support Prince A'zam Tara. Since it was clear that she favoured this little prince, and was inimical to Sultan Mu'azzam, the latter resolved to make use of Jai Singh. Therefore, disguising himself, he went one night to this rajah, and, presenting to him some jewels of great price, prayed him earnestly to take his part on this occasion. His father was already dead. He then made a movement as if to fall at the rajah's feet ; but the latter, taking him in his arms, raised him. After lengthy discourse, wherein he set forth the particular esteem he had for the prince and the singular desire he cherished to be of service to him in this juncture, he inquired if he knew for a certainty that the king, his father, was dead.
91.4
The prince replied that it could be assumed this was so, since Roshan Ara Begam would not allow anyone to go into the royal harem, nor anyone to come out, who could give word of the life or death of the king. In spite of all he had done to ascertain the truth, no one could find out if [40] Aurangzeb was alive or dead. Upon this the rajah asked him to take some repose, for in a few hours he would know the condition of the king. With this object he wrote a short note to one of Roshan Ara Begam's eunuchs saying he offered him two hundred thousand rupees on condition of his sending him a clear statement whether the king was alive or dead. He forwarded this note by one of his own trusted eunuchs. The eunuch of Roshan Ara Begam replied by another note stating that the king was still alive.
91.5
On perusing this answer, Jai Singh said to the prince that the king, his father, not being yet dead, he could therefore return to his house and retire to rest, and this was the best thing for him to do. The prince trusted in the affection shown him by the rajah ; and he asked him if it was advisable to go to Agrah and fall at his grandfather's feet, to get him on his side when the death of his father, Aurangzeb, should come to pass. Rajah Jai Singh, who saw plainly that if Shahjahan got out of prison a great many must lose their lives, answered in the negative. It were better to dissemble till the death of the king, and if God so willed it he would certainly get the news early. He swore to him upon his gods that on the king's death he would be with him at once at the head of thirty thousand Rajputs, and would adopt his cause. Sultan Mu'azzam felt consoled by this promise, and relying upon the rajah's oaths, went back to his palace.
91.6
Finding there was little hope of recovery, Aurangzeb sent for his faithful eunuch, Danish, and warmly recommended to him Sultan A'zam. If he should die, he ordered him to hand over the said prince to Shaistah Khan, who, being a Persian, would see that this small boy was protected, and would defend him from the insults he might have to suffer. For Sultan Mu'azzam was already grown up, while the mother of that prince and powerful captains were also of his party. He said nothing about Prince Akbar, brother of Sultan A'zam, he being of tender years, not more than three years old.