History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c27.74

v2.c27.74

with a malevolent glance bade him get up. In madness and despair Sipihr began to weep and clung to Dara’s legs. Father and son hugged each other tightly, with loud cries of grief. The slaves grew more threatening in their tone, and then tried to drag the boy away by the hand. At this Dara wiped his own tears and calmly appealed to the slaves to carry his entreaty to his brother to leave Sipihr Shukoh with him. But they scornfully replied, “We cannot be anybody’s messenger. We have only to carry out our orders.” Then with a sudden rush they tore away the boy from his father’s arms by sheer force, took him to a side-room, and prepared to despatch Dara. That Prince, knowing that his end was near, had already prepared for a last desperate struggle. He had secured a small penknife and concealed it in his pillow. Now he tore the cover open, grasped the knife, and attacked the slave who was advancing to seize him. This small instrument was driven with such force into the wretch’s side that it stuck fast in the bones. Dara tugged at it, but in vain. Then he flung himself blindly on them, dealing blows with his fist right and left. But the slaves were accustomed to such bloody work; they fell on him in a body and seized and over-powered him.