Storia do Mogor 97.1
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 97.1
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97.1.1
But already the hot season was near, and it was necessary to start for Kashmir before the sun's rays had increased in the land of Hindustan. In this he followed the advice of the doctors, and, above all, of Roshan Ara Begam, who longed very much to get rid of the hindrances of the harem and be able to indulge her libidinous propensities; furthermore, she wished to appear in the camp with more state than that used by Begam Sahib in the time of Shahjahan. Having decided to go to Kashmir, Aurangzeb selected his most faithful adherents, in whom he had much confidence, and deputed as governor of the city of Agrah one Osdarcan (Hoshdar Khan), and as general of the camp Murtaza Khan. He gave fresh injunctions to Ttibar Khan, the eunuch, to take great care of Shahjahan. Since Shah Shuja' had died in Arracan, as I stated in the other book (I. 247), the king sent an order, before his departure, to Mir Jumlah, directing him to conquer Axame (Assam).
97.1.2
Thus Aurangzeb started from the city of Dihll on the 6th December of one thousand six hundred and sixty [? 1662] at three o'clock in the afternoon, the joint decision [46] of the astrologers being that this was the best date that could be found for the king to start on a long journey, which must last at least a year, or even more, in going, coming, and staying. It is a strange thing how Monsieur Bernier says in his third book that this departure took place in sixty-four (1664); for it is a certainty that it happened at the time that I have recorded. Nor can I persuade myself how he committed so great an error, and suppose it due rather to the printer than the author, although he says in his history many other things far from the truth. There were rumours that Aurangzeb's departure was not for Kashmir, but on a campaign against the fortress of Qandahar, then held by this King of Persia. But this story was false. The king, on leaving the city, rested for the night in an extensive garden called Xalemar (Shalihmar), planted by Shahjahan as a pleasure resort ; it lies three leagues distant from the royal palace, adjoining the road to Lahor. Here Aurangzeb halted six days to give time for everyone to make his preparations, and when everybody had joined the army he meant to begin his march. It is the custom in the Mogul country when an army is in the field to order a trumpet to be blown at nine o'clock at night as a signal that there will be no march on the following morning.
97.1.3
On the sixth evening there was no trumpet, and the advance tents were sent on. With regard to this you must know that in the Mogul kingdom the king and many of the nobles march with two sets of tents, so that while the one set is in use the other may be sent on for the next day. To carry the royal tents there were set aside two hundred camels and fifty elephants, which were used for this purpose only. On the seventh day at three o'clock in the morning the march began. First went the heavy artillery, which always marches in front, and is drawn up as an avenue through which to enter the next camp. With it went a handsome boat upon a large car to ferry the royal person across any river when necessary. Then followed the baggage. In this way, when the morning broke, the camp was free, leaving only the cavalry and infantry, each in its appropriate position. With the rest, in addition to the other transport, went two hundred camels, loaded with silver rupees, and each camel carrying four hundred and eighty pounds' weight of silver; one hundred camels loaded with gold coin, each carrying the same weight; one hundred and fifty camels [47] loaded with nets used in hunting tigers, of which mode of hunting I have already spoken (I. 128).
97.1.4
The royal office of record also was there, for the original records always accompany the court, and this required eighty camels, thirty elephants, and twenty carts, loaded with the registers and papers of account of the empire. In addition to these there were fifty camels carrying water, each camel bearing two full metal vessels for the royal use. The princes of the blood-royal marched in the same fashion, each according to his rank. Attending on the king are eight mules carrying small tents, which are used on the march when the king desires to rest, or to eat a little something, or for any particular necessity. Along with them are two mules carrying clothes, and one mule loaded with essences of various odoriferous flowers. It is the custom of the court, when the king is to march the next day, that at ten o'clock of the night the royal kitchen should start. It consists of fifty camels loaded with supplies, and fifty well-fed cows to give milk. Also there are sent dainties in charge of cooks, from each one of whom the preparation of only one dish is required. For this department there is an official of standing, whose business it is to send in the dishes sealed up in bags of Malacca velvet, etcetera; and two hundred culies (qulis), each one with his basket of chinaware and other articles;
97.1.5
further, there are fifty camels carrying one hundred cases packed with sarapa (robes of honour): also thirty elephants loaded with special arms and jewels to be distributed among the generals, captains, etcetera. These arms are of the following kinds: swords, with their accoutrements; shields; various kinds of daggers, all worked in enamel and in gold, adorned with different precious stones; plumes; also things to give to ladies, jewels to wear on the breast and other varieties; also armlets of gold, mounted with pearls and diamonds. Again, there marched close to the baggage one thousand labourers, with axes, mattocks, spades, and pick-axes to clear any difficult passage. Their commanders ride on horseback carrying in their hands their badges of office, which are either an axe or a mattock in silver. On arriving at the place appointed for the royal halt, they put up the tents and placed in position the heavy artillery. When the light artillery comes up, it is placed round the royal tents. Aurangzeb started at six o'clock of the day, seated on the throne presented to him by the Dutch, as I have stated (II. 42). To carry this throne there were twelve men ; in addition, there were three palanquins of different shapes, into which [48] he could get when he pleased. There were also five elephants with different litters (cherollas) for his use whenever he desired. Upon his issuing from his tents, the light artillery began the march from its position round them.
97.1.6
It was made up of one hundred field-pieces, each drawn by two horses. The following is the order of the king's march. At the time when he mounted the throne and issued from his tents all the warlike instruments of music were sounded. At the head came the son of the deceased Shekh Mir with eight thousand cavaliers. In the right wing was Assenalican (Hasan 'Ali Khan), son of Alaberdican (Allahwirdi Khan). This is the Allahwirdi Khan who caused Prince Shah Shuja' to get down from his elephant at the battle of Khajwah (I. 229). Hasan 'Ali Khan commanded eight thousand horsemen ; the left wing, consisting of eight thousand horsemen, was commanded by Muhammad Amin Khan. In the rear of these two wings were the mounted huntsmen, each with his bird of prey (hawk) on his wrist. Immediately in front of the king went nine elephants with showy flags ; behind these nine were other four, bearing green standards with a sun depicted on them. Behind these elephants were nine horses of state, all adorned and ready saddled ; after these horses came two horsemen, one carrying a standard with Arabic letters on it, the other with a kettle-drum, which he struck lightly from time to time as a warning that the king was approaching.
97.1.7
There was no want of men on foot, who advanced in ordered files on the one and the other side of the king ; some displayed scarlet, others green, pennants ; others, again, held in their hands their staves, with which they drove off people when anyone made so bold as to draw near. There were on the right and on the left many horsemen with silver staves keeping the people back. Among the men on foot were some with perfumes, while others were continually watering the road. By their side was an official provided with a description of the provinces, lands, and villages through which the king must pass, in order to explain at once if the king asked what land and whose province it was through which he was then passing. These men can give him an account of everything down to the petty villages, and the revenue obtained from the land.