History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c37.s1.4

v3.c37.s1.4

Muhammad Muazzam, who lived to mount his father's throne in 1707 as Bahadur Shah I., took the place of honour at the right hand of his father after the fall of Muhammad Sultan. In May 1663, when only 20 years old, he was sent to the Deccan as viceroy, and there he stayed for the next ten years, paying occasional visits to his father in Northern India and being once sent to the Panjab in command of the advanced division of the imperial army (1666) to meet a threatened Persian invasion. But early in 1670* he came under a passing cloud. The official history merely says, "It was reported to the Emperor that the prince, at the instigation of flatterers, had begun to act in a self-willed and independent manner. His Majesty's letters of good counsel producing no effect, he sent the prince's mother, Nawab Bai, to the Deccan to lure him back to the path of duty if the charges against him were true. A noble was also sent from the Court to deliver him to a stern reprimand on behalf of the Emperor. But the reports were found to be utterly false. The prince's character was full of loyalty. He wrote a very submissive reply, expressing his sorrow and regret, and the imperial grace was renewed to him." But he was evidently still regarded with suspicion; at all events he had utterly failed to repress Shivaji, and his constant quarrels with his insubordinate lieutenant Dilir Khan rendered the administration of Mughal Deccan by him impossible. So, he was removed from office in January, 1673. The restoration of Muhammad Sultan to favour at this very time may have been intended by Aurangzib to show Muazzam that the Emperor had a second string to his bow and could cut off his refractory son at his pleasure.