Travels in India (Tavernier) 52.9

52.9

However, Aurangzeb, being a good politician and extraordinary dissembler, caused it to be noised abroad that he had not ordered the seizure of the person of DArA ShAh, but only that he should be persuaded to depart out of the Kingdom. As DArA had been unwilling to do so, Juin KhAn had, without authority, unworthily seized his person, and instead of honouring the royal blood, had shamefully tied the hands of the young Prince, Sepehr Sheko, son of DArA ShAh, behind his back. That this criminal action, which was an offence against his Majesty, deserved a severe punishment, and that it had in part been avenged by the death of Juin KhAn and his accomplices. But this story which Aurangzeb ordered to be spread among the people was only for the purpose of deception ; for if he truly had such consideration for the royal blood and any love for his elder brother, he would not at the same time have ordered his head to be cut off, as was immediately done in the following manner. DArA ShAh, having left JahAnAbAd with his guards to go to the place of his imprisonment, when he had reached a pleasant spot where he thought he was to sleep, his tent in which he was to lose his head was prepared. After he had eaten, SAif KhAn, who had been in his service, came to announce to him the order for his death. Dara Shah, seeing him enter, welcomed him and said that he was rejoiced to see one of his most faithful servants.