Travels in India (Tavernier) 52.3

52.3

In the meantime, Dārā Shāh got news at Ahmadābād that Jeswant Singh, one of the most powerful Rājās in all India, had detached himself from Aurangzeb, and wished to join him. He was even invited by this Rājā to advance with his army, which was not large, and did not exceed 30,000 men when he arrived at Ahmadābād. Dārā Shāh, confiding in his promise, followed his counsel, and went to Ajmīr, the appointed rendezvous, where he hoped to find him. But Jeswant Singh, who had been won by the arguments of the Rājā Jai Singh, who was more powerful than he, and was wholly devoted to the interests of Aurangzeb, did not come to Ajmīr on the day he had promised, and only got there at the last moment, when it was for the purpose of betraying this poor Prince. The armies of the two brothers being opposed to one another, the combat commenced, and the battle lasted for three days; but during the course of the engagement Jeswant Singh, with manifest treachery, passed over to the side of Aurangzeb, which being seen by Dārā Shāh’s soldiers, they lost courage and took to flight. There had been much bloodshed on both sides; Shāh Nawāz Khān, father-in-law of Aurangzeb, remained on the field, and there were on both sides 8000 or 9000 men slain, without counting the wounded, the number of whom was still greater.