History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c23.83

v2.c23.83

His plan was quickly formed.[*] With his inborn cunning, he first lulled Murad's suspicion to sleep. Two marches from Agra he presented 233 horses and 20 lakhs of rupees to Murad, as the latter had complained of being too poor to equip his troops for the march. Aurangzib further promised to send him soon one-third of the spoils of war, as previously agreed upon. Then he invited his brother to a feast in celebration of his complete recovery and also to hold a council of war for the projected operations against Dara. For some days after this Murad’s chief followers dissuaded him from putting himself in his rival’s power. That Prince, though professing firm faith in Aurangzib’s promises and oaths, seems to have been shaken in his purpose, and declined to make the visit, offering polite excuses. Aurangzib repeated the invitation daily. He had secretly corrupted Nuruddin, a personal attendant (*khawas*) of Murad’s, and this traitor induced the hapless Prince, when returning from a hunt, to enter his brother’s camp, (25th June.) The other officers protested, but in vain.