History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v1.c4.11

v1.c4.11

Aurangzíb a hostage for his father. From 1622 till almost the end of his father’s reign, Shah Jahan was under a cloud; the infatuated old Emperor, entirely dominated by his selfish and imperious consort Nur Jahan, deprived Shah Jahan of his posts and fiefs, and at last drove him into rebellion in self-defence. But the prince’s efforts were in general unsuccessful, and he had to flee by way of Telingana, Orissa and Bengal to Jaunpur and back again to the Deccan by the same wild and terrible route, his wife and children accompanying him. At last he had no help but to submit to his father and give up his young sons, Dara and Aurangzib, as hostages. These two reached Jahangir’s Court at Lahore in June 1626,† and remained under the care of Nur Jahan. Shortly afterwards Jahangir died, Shah Jahan ascended the throne, and the two boys were escorted by Asaf Khan to Agra, where a most pathetic scene was acted : their eagerly expectant mother clasped her long lost darlings to her bosom and poured out all her pent up affection for them* (26 February, 1628). Aurangzib’s daily allowance was now fixed at Rs. 500.