History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c36.s3: §4. Aurangzib's illness, 1662.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c36.s3
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§4. Aurangzib's illness, 1662.
v3.c36.s3.1
Early in the 5th year of his reign, Aurangzib had a severe illness,[*] which was aggravated by his obstinate devotion to work and religious austerities. The days of Ramzan (10 April—9 May, 1662) were extremely hot and long, and this being the month of the fast, the Emperor could not quench his thirst or repose in bed during the day-time, but transacted business, tried cases, and performed his prayers as regularly as in other seasons. It used to be midnight before he finished his prayers and other duties and found time to take his meals which were scanty and simple like a hermit's, so as to be in keeping with the character of the holy month. Even his nights were devoted to prayer, and if sleep stole on his eyelids and he reclined in bed, he would start up at the first consciousness of it and then begin to count his beads again! Thus, overwork and lack of sleep and proper nourishment during an entire month in the frightful heat of a Delhi summer, greatly weakened him and his body became full of pain. Even when the period of fasting ended, he gave himself no greater repose, but insisted on holding Court twice daily and doing regular work in spite of ill health.
v3.c36.s3.2
∗ A. N. 745—753; Bernier, 123—126; Storia, ii. 54—61.
v3.c36.s3.3
At last in the afternoon of 12th May, a fever seized him; he went to the Private Audience as usual, but was forced in a few minutes to retire to the harem. Next day his temperature rose; the doctors who bled him let so much blood out that he became extremely weak; his agony was frightful; the fever-heat "scorched him like the rays of the sun"; at times he fell into fits of insensibility and a deadly pallor spread over his face. Weeping women surrounded his couch, expecting the end at any moment. The greatest anxiety and distraction reigned in the palace and the capital, and the evil was aggravated by the rival movements of his sons to gain adherents and secure their own succession. His sister Raushanara, who ruled the harem in reward of having supported him during the War of Succession, is said to have usurped the charge of the sick man and excluded all save her own friends from his bedside. Even Aurangzib’s queen Nawab Bai, the mother of his second son, was dragged away by the hair from her husband’s chamber by Raushanara during the crisis of the disease. The people of Delhi were in wild terror at the prospect of war and rapine as soon as the supreme authority would close his eyes. One man rule is not an unmixed blessing.
v3.c36.s3.4
The public anxiety was prolonged through the 5th day, when his fever and weakness continued without abatement. But such was Aurangzib’s strength of mind that he showed his face in the Audience Hall for a moment that evening and the next, leaning on a mace and receiving the presentation of the royal standards. The courtiers were reassured by the sight of His Majesty, and the rumours of his death in the bazars were stilled. On the 7th day the four highest grandees of the State were granted audience at his bedside. The illness continued for a month more, but there was no longer any cause for public alarm or disorder. On 22nd May he sat for a time on the marble throne in front of his bedroom in Delhi fort, and on Friday the 23rd and 30th he went to the Jama Mosque in a litter to pray in public. During this period he also showed himself daily to the outside public at the balcony of morning salute (*jharokha-i-darshan*), and attended the presentation of the standards in the Audience Hall in the evening, though still weak and ailing.
v3.c36.s3.5
Indeed, he could have recovered much sooner if he had spared himself such exertions. But his spirit was unconquerable by the weakness of the flesh. Not only did he insist on appearing in public with the fever on him, as we have described above, but he also transacted much business during this time. At last on 17th June his malady took a decided turn for the better, and a week afterwards he performed the customary bath of complete recovery.
v3.c36.s3.6
There were rejoicings all over the country. Raushanara, in particular, gave a grand feast on her beloved brother's escape from death. The absolute peace that was maintained throughout the empire during this critical month and a half is the highest tribute to the strength of Aurangzib's character* and the stability of the rule he had founded. The Indian world seemed to have been laid under a spell by that masterful will and durst not stir a finger until he was known to be dead beyond hope of revival.
v3.c36.s3.7
∗ Bernier's *Agha* (Danishmand Khan) on hearing of Aurangzib's fortitude during illness, exclaimed, "What strength of mind! What invincible courage! Heaven preserve thee, Aurangzib, for greater achievements! Thou art not yet destined to die!" (p. 125).
v3.c36.s3.8
On his recovery, Aurangzib was advised to regain strength and refresh his spirits by a visit to the pleasant valley of Kashmir, then known as the "Earthly Paradise." He left Delhi on 8th December, 1662, reaching Lahor on 8th February next, where three months were spent in supervising the administration. Then, early in May 1663 he started for Kashmir,* entering the valley through the Pir Panjal Pass at Bhimbar. The Court passed 2½ months most happily at Srinagar, and then moved from one delightful spot to another enjoying the beauty of the prospect, and setting out on return before winter. Lahor was reached on 29th Sep. 1663 and Delhi on 18th January next.
v3.c36.s3.9
∗ A. N. 819—840; Bernier, 391—428 (entirely wrong about the year, see Storia, ii. 66). According to M. A. (46) and K. K. (ii. 176) a terrible accident during the outward journey depressed Aurangzib's mind and made him resolve to give up the idea of visiting Kashmir in future. "While crossing the terrible Pir Panjal Pass, a frightened elephant turned back from the front and ran towards Bhimbar like a sudden calamity or a whirlwind. A terrible confusion fell on the men and animals in that narrow pass. Some female elephants and porters fell into the pit of destruction at the attack of this moving mountain and were so thoroughly destroyed that not a bone (of them) could be seen. On hearing of this accident the heart of the gracious Emperor was greatly moved and from that very time he resolved never again to visit Kashmir." It is surprising that the detailed official history, A. N., is silent about the incident, which Bernier, an eye-witness, also gives (407) though in a different form.