History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c25.s1.13

v2.c25.s1.13

The Emperor was at his tahajjud prayer in his field-tent, when the news of Jaswant’s attack and desertion reached him. Without uttering a word, he merely waved his hand as if to say, “If he is gone, let him go!” After deliberately finishing the prayer, he issued from the tent, mounted a takht-i-rawan (portable chair), and addressed his officers, “This incident is a mercy vouchsafed to us by God. If the infidel had played the traitor in the midst of the battle, all would have been lost. His flight (now) is good for us. Praised be God that by this means friends have been winnowed from secret enemies in my army. The occurrence is a God-send and an omen of victory to us!"*