Travels in India (Tavernier) 49.10

49.10

The young Prince allowed himself to be charmed by these soft words; but his eunuch, Shahbaz Khan, who had acquired for him the best part of the Kingdom of Gujarat, tried to excite his distrust, and make him realise the trap which had been set for him. But when Murad Baksh wished to profit by the advice of his eunuch it was then too late, as Aurangzeb had already taken his measures to ruin him. He invited Murad Baksh to a feast, and the more he excused himself the more he was pressed to come. The young Prince, unable to refuse any longer, resolved to go so that he might conceal his mistrust, although fearing that the day was to be the last of his life, and that some deadly poison had been prepared for him. He was mistaken, however, for Aurangzeb did not then aim at his life, contenting himself with securing his person; so, in place of aiding him to ascend the throne, as he promised, he sent him under safe custody to the fortress of Gwalior, to give him time to be cured of his wounds, and to take his own in order to accomplish his designs.