History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c23.47

v2.c23.47

On the return of Fazil Khan (5th June), the Emperor learnt that Aurangzib was bitterly estranged from him and that he could not hope to meet and induce him to make a friendly settlement with his brothers. The old monarch therefore prepared to stand a siege, and shut the gates of the Fort, lest some traitor should murder or imprison him in the hope of gaining Aurangzib's favour.* The defence of the walls was entrusted to some officers whom he believed to be devoted to him, and there was a garrison of 1,500 foreign slaves,—Qalmaqs, Abyssinians, and Turks, who usually proved faithful to their salt.