Travels in India (Tavernier) 52.4

52.4

DArA Shah having no other resources, and fortune having been against him in all his enterprises, in order not to fall into the hands of his enemies, took flight with his wives, some of his children, and his most faithful followers, in a pitiable conveyance. As he approached AhmadAbAd, Monsieur Bernier, a French physician, who was on his way to Agra to visit the Court of the Great Mogul, and who is well known to all the world as much by his personal merit as by the charming accounts of his travels, was of great assistance to one of the wives of this Prince who was attacked with erysipelas in one leg. DarA Shah, having learnt that an accomplished European physician was at hand, sent immediately for him, and Monsieur Bernier went to his tent, where he saw this lady and examined into her ailment, for which he gave a remedy and quick relief. This poor Prince being much pleased with Monsieur Bernier, strongly pressed him to remain in his service, and he might have accepted the offer if DarA Shah had not received news the same night that the Governor whom he had left at AhmadabAd had refused to allow his quartermaster to enter the town, and had declared for Aurangzeb. This compelled DarA ShAh to decamp quickly in the darkness of the night, and take the road to Sind, fearing some new treachery, which he could not defend himself from in the unhappy condition in which he found himself.