Later Mughals v1.c6.s17.17

v1.c6.s17.17

The Muhammadan authors assert** that Guru Govind now sent in petitions to Alamgir, offering to make his submission, coupled with a promise to accept Islam. If this is true, no prospect could be more pleasing to such a bigot as that Emperor: and, as we are told, a confidential messenger, or mace-bearer, was sent to bring the suppliant to the Court. The messenger produced Govind Singh, in the first instance, before Munim Khan, then nazim or governor of Lahor, and diwan, or chief revenue officer, to Prince Muazzam (afterwards, as Emperor, known as Bahadur Shah). Govind Singh was forwarded by the governor to the Dakhin. On the way the party heard of Alamgir's death, which took place at Ahmadnagar, in the Dakhin, on the 28th Zul Qada, 1118 (2nd March 1707); and Govind, believing his star was again in the ascendant, turned his face and hastened back to Hindustan. The story, as it stands, with these details, is not quite credible. Was Govind Singh at all likely to surrender? If in the custody of a Muhammadan mace-bearer, would he be allowed to return home, at his own pleasure, because Alamgir was dead? All we can say is that there may be some foundation for the story.