Later Mughals v1.c8.s18.6

v1.c8.s18.6

Zulfiqar Khan, whose judgment rarely erred, did not share his father's opinion. He wished to carry off Jahandar Shah to Multan, or even to Kabul, and there collect an army; or he could take him to the Dakhin, where Daud Khan with all his troops was at their sole disposal. Nay, even if Jahandar Shah were abandoned to his fate, why should he not hasten to the Dakhin himself, where without much exertion he could found an independent principality. Anything was better than submission to Farrukh-siyar—who was there who knew not of his enmity with the late Azim-ush-shan? Was not the alliance of the three Princes his work? Furthermore, was it right for them to deliver to an enemy a man who had taken refuge at their house? His father replied that, when Bahadur Shah died, every noble took one side or another, and they happened to join that of Jahandar Shah. What crime had they thereby committed? Besides, if such a captive were made over by them to Farrukh-siyar, what could he do but receive them into favour. Doubtless it was opposed to the rules of friendship to deliver up Jahandar Shah. But everybody detested him; if they espoused his cause, not a soul would join them; and they would only risk their own heads along with his. Let them rather seek in him an instrument for saving their own lives and property. Zulfiqar Khan after some time yielded a reluctant consent. They sent out to Jahandar Shah misleading messages of friendship, and on the pretence of his taking repose, inveigled him into a small detached building, round which they drew some tent-screens, and thus made him a prisoner. A joint letter was then despatched by father and son to Farrukh-siyar, claiming recognition for the signal service that they had just performed.*