Travels in India (Tavernier) 49.2

49.2

ShAh JahAn being then sick, and having retired into the women’s quarter without showing himself for many days, the rumour spread that he was dead, and that DArA Shah concealed his death in order to arrange his affairs and secure for himself the whole of the Empire. It is certain that the King, believing that he was about to die and was near his last hour, ordered Dara ShAh to assemble all the Omrahs or nobles of the Kingdom, and seat himself on the throne, which belonged to him, being the eldest of all the brothers. He also told him that if God prolonged his life for some days he desired to see him, before he died, in the peaceable possession of his Empire ; and this intention which he had for his eldest son was especially right, because he had observed for some time that the three other Princes manifested much less respect and affection for their father than DArA ShAh had. At this conversation which the King held with his son, DArA ShAh, who honoured him extremely and loved him tenderly, replied that he prayed to God for the life of his majesty, which he hoped would be long, and that while God preserved it he would never dream of mounting the throne, but would consider himself always happy in being his subject. Indeed, this Prince did not absent himself for a moment from the presence of his father, in order to be at hand to attend upon him during his sickness ; and, wishing to be present at all times, he slept at night close to the King’s bed on a carpet spread on the floor.