The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.82

v4.c18.82

Dārā’s plan was to crush Murād Bakhsh and Shāh Shujā‘ first and then to march against Aurangzīb. Recognising the greater danger to be feared from the last he had spared no pains to weaken him. While Shāh Jahān was still dangerously ill, Dārā issued orders which removed Mīr Jumla from his post as chief minister but directed him to secure the surrender of Parenda, while at the same time they recalled the troops sent from headquarters to aid in the Bījāpur campaign. He tried to sow dissension by transferring Berār from Aurangzīb to Murād Bakhsh, an offer which was at once rejected. Shāh Jahān’s recovery to some degree of health was marked by the despatch of a force under Dārā’s son Sulaimān Shukoh with a capable general Rājā Jay Singh of Amber to meet Shāh Shujā‘. Two other armies were sent west shortly afterwards to recover Gujarāt from Murād Bakhsh and to hold Aurangzīb in check. It was difficult to find commanders for these, so great was the respect in which Aurangzīb’s generalship was held. Mīr Jumla was recalled to court, but was formally arrested and detained by Aurangzīb as a subterfuge, which was at once unveiled when his plans had succeeded.