The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.57

v4.c17.57

Proceeding with a small body-guard to the royal tents he forced his way into the state apartment and, brushing aside the chamberlain, tried to enter the private tent. As his men were tearing down the boards which protected it the emperor came out with a few servants, and as the chronicle relates "twice placed his hand on his sword to cleanse the world from the filthy existence of that foul dog". He was dissuaded from using force and at Mahābat Khān's suggestion mounted a horse, and later an elephant, as if to go hunting. Trusted Rājputs were placed in the howdah with him, and he was taken to Mahābat Khān's tents. The rebel had acted on sudden impulse and in his distracted haste forgot to secure the empress also. He had managed the abduction of the emperor so rapidly that Nūr Jahān crossed the river to the main camp believing that Jahāngīr had gone hunting as usual. There she discovered what had happened and reproached her brother Āsaf Khān and the other nobles. They decided to attack the traitor and release the emperor next day, though a message was received from him that they should not attempt it. Mahābat Khān, though he had missed seizing the empress, secured Shahryār, burned the bridge and posted his Rājputs along the bank. Next day, when the attack was launched it failed completely owing to the absence of leadership among the members of the queen's faction.