Travels in India (Tavernier) 50.4

50.4

But Jahāngīr, being old and distressed by the troubles which had been caused by his two sons, died on the road, and left Shah Jahan free to pursue his designs. However, before he died this good King had time to commend the care of his grandson, Sultan Bolaki, to Asaf Khan, Commander-in-Chief of his armies and Prime Minister of State, who governed the whole Empire. He ordered all his officers to recognise Bolaki as King and legitimate heir of his Kingdom after his death, declaring Sultan Khurram to be a rebel, and as such incapable of succeeding him on the throne. Moreover he made Asaf Khan swear in particular that he would never suffer Bolaki to be killed, however affairs might eventuate; this oath Asaf Khan swore upon his thigh, which bound him religiously in so far as that item, but not for his establishment on the throne, where he wished to place Shah Jahan, to whom he had given in marriage his eldest daughter, mother of the four Princes and the two Princesses to whom I have referred in the preceding chapter. On the news of the King’s death being reported at Court, all appeared to be sorely afflicted, and immediately the nobles of the Kingdom proceeded to give effect to the will by recognising Sultan Bolaki as King, he being still a youth. This Prince had two first cousins who, with the King’s consent, had become Christians, and had made public profession of the same.