New History of the Marathas v1.c17.79

v1.c17.79

9. The Chivalrous Durgadas.—It is necessary here to complete the story of Durgādās also, as it materially affects Aurangzeb’s plans and measures. After saying good-bye to Akbar at Rājāpur in February 1687, Durgādās returned to Jodhpur and continued throughout his long life steadfastly to organize the Rajput clans in order to wrest Marwar back from the Emperor’s control. Akbar’s son Buland Akhtar and his daughter Safiat-un-Nisa were in his charge and were brought up by him in Marwar with great care and solicitude for their comfort and breeding. Durgādās employed a Muslim theologian to instruct them in their own faith. When Aurangzeb learned of Akbar’s flight to Iran, he sent his own trusted agent Ishwardas Nagar⁹ to Durgādās and effected a reconciliation with him. Durgādās with Akbar’s daughter, then over 16 years of age, came to visit the Emperor at Brahmapuri in 1696. The following memorable dialogue between the grand-father and the grand-daughter is preserved in history :—