The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.64

v4.c17.64

In spite of the Persian capture of Qandahār, Shāh Jahān had retained friendly relations with the Shāh and he now hoped that if he could get to Persia he might be well received. His progress was delayed by the governor of Tatta, who was a partisan of Shahryār and collected a large force to resist him. Shāh Jahān’s followers, however, attacked the fort against his orders and were easily repulsed. A letter from Nūr Jahān now warned him that Mahābat Khān’s influence had been broken. He himself was in poor health, and the news of Parvīz’s serious illness and his own want of troops induced him to fall back. Borne in a litter he withdrew through Gujarāt to Nāsik, hearing of his brother’s death on the way. Mahābat Khān had, in fact, been ordered to proceed to Tatta to repel Shāh Jahān’s designs on that place, and had omitted to comply as he wished to intercept the Bengal treasure. Failing in this design he took refuge in Mewār and offered his services to Shāh Jahān, whom he joined at Junnar with about 2000 troops. Though these two were the most competent commanders in the empire their resources were for the time being exhausted and during the few months that remained of the emperor’s life they were content to await the course of events. Khān Jahān, who had already betrayed his trust, was not disposed to take any action against them, though warned by Nūr Jahān to be on his guard.