Travels in India (Tavernier) 49.1

49.1

Shah JahAn had six children, four sons and two daughters. The eldest of the sons was called Dara ShAh; the second Sultan ShujA; the third Aurangzeb, who reigns at present; and the last MurAd Baksh. The eldest of the two daughters was called Begum Sahib, and the younger RoushenArA Begum. All these names, in the language of the country, mean titles of honour, as the wise, the brave, the accomplished, etc.; and we practise nearly the same in Europe by the (use of the) surnames which we give to our Princes, of just, bold, and affable, with this difference only, that these surnames are not given at birth, but after certain proof has been shown (of the possession) of the virtues which merit that their memories should pass to posterity under such fine names. ShAh JahAn loved his four sons equally well, and had established them as Governors or Viceroys of four of his most considerable Provinces, or, if you prefer it, his four principal Kingdoms. DArA ShAh, the eldest, remained near the person of the King in the Kingdom of Delhi, and had the Government of Sindi, where he placed a lieutenant in his absence; Sultan ShujA had for his district the Kingdom of Bengal; Aurangzeb was sent to the Kingdom of Deccan; and MurAd Baksh to that of GujarAt. But much as ShAh JahAn sought to give equal contentment to his four sons, their ambition was not satisfied by this allotment, and it overthrew all the projects that the good father had made to preserve peace between his children.