Travels in India (Tavernier) 49.9

49.9

Shaista Khan, son of Asaf Khan, who had betrayed the King Bolaki, as I shall relate, in order to obtain the throne for Shah Jahan, his brother-in-law; Shaista Khan, I say, uncle of these four Princes whose mother was his own sister, ranged himself on Aurangzeb’s side, with the greater number of the principal officers of Dara Shah and of Murad Bakhsh, who abandoned their masters. Murad Bakhsh at last began to realise the mistake he had made in having trusted Aurangzeb, who, seeing himself favoured by fortune, lost no time in carrying out his plans. Murad Baksh, who with reason entertained doubts as to his brother, sent to him to demand half the treasure which had been seized, in order that he might retire into Gujarat, and Aurangzeb, by way of reply, assured him that he desired to aid him in ascending the throne, and that on that account he wished to consult with him; Murad Baksh, finding his wounds somewhat better, went to see Aurangzeb his brother, who received him well and praised his courage, which merited, he said, the first Empire in the world.