History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c37.s2: §2. Prince Azam, his conduct.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c37.s2
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§2. Prince Azam, his conduct.
v3.c37.s2.1
The disgrace of Shah Alam was Muhammad Azam's opportunity. This prince* was proud of his descent from "the royal blood of Persia," through his mother, who was sprung from a younger branch of the Safavi dynasty. He was a man of boundless conceit and haughtiness, without any control over his tongue or passions even in his terrible father's presence. When roused to anger it was his habit to roll up his sleeves like a wrestler. His vanity was only fed by the affection and favours which Aurangzib constantly bestowed on him, on his wife Jahanzeb Banu (the daughter of Dara Shukoh), and on their son Bidar Bakht, a gallant and capable general and the pet of his grandfather's old age.
v3.c37.s2.2
∗ Storia, ii. 394; M. A. 106, 230, 264, 211 (created Shah). I have treated his life fully in the Journal B. & O. Research Society, March 1924.
v3.c37.s2.3
About 1670, Mir Khan, the then governor of Allahabad, is said to have "entered into the interests of Prince Muhammad Azam Shah and instigated futile plans [of independence]. The Emperor, hearing of it, cried out, 'This lowly sparrow has not the strength of a high-soaring falcon,' but fearing lest he should stir up even a slight disturbance, His Majesty removed Mir Khan from his rank and attached all his property." (Ishwardas, 61b; Mirat, 300.) The official record is silent about the incident; it only tells us that the faujdari of Sambhal which the prince had been holding by deputy was taken away from him in October 1670, but we do not know whether this was done by way of punishment or in the course of ordinary official transfers.* Manucci's story (ii. 394), that Azam "was arrested and locked up in the palace and there he remained for a whole year, getting no wine to drink" is incredible; at all events even if true it was not in punishment of any intended rebellion, as the confinement is said to have taken place before his marriage with Dara's daughter, which was celebrated in January, 1669.
v3.c37.s2.4
∗ In August 1683, Md. Hadi (the son of Mir Khan) was brought under arrest from Azam's army and kept in confinement in Aurangzib's camp. [M. A. 237.]
v3.c37.s2.5
Muhammad Azam was the only son of Aurangzib who succeeded in keeping himself clear of prison. He even enjoyed the Emperor's favour in a special degree throughout life, and produced a good impression by his forced march from Bengal to Ajmir in 1679 and again in the rainy season of 1683 in the Deccan to meet his father, and by his theatrical speech in defiance of famine and danger at the siege of Bijapur (1685). A serious illness in 1693, during which Aurangzib personally nursed him, endeared him still more to his father.
v3.c37.s2.6
After filling many viceroyalties, Muhammad Azam was given the title of *Shah-i-Alijah* (31 July, 1681), and employed in the Deccan in independent charge of an army corps like Shah Alam. During the captivity of the latter, Azam took the heir-apparent's seat on the right hand of the Emperor at the public prayers and *darbars*.
v3.c37.s2.7
On the day of *Id-ul-fitr*, 5th May 1695, when Shah Alam was released, and the Emperor went with his sons to pray in the Grand Mosque at Bijapur, a curious dispute for precedence took place between the two brothers, which is thus described in the official history :—
v3.c37.s2.8
“As the eldest son of the Emperor always sits on the right hand of His Majesty, and during Shah Alam’s retreat (i.e., disgrace) Azam had been given that seat of honour, the former asked the Emperor, ‘What are your Majesty’s orders about my rightful claim on the day of *Id*?’ Aurangzib replied, ‘Go to the *Idgah* before my cortege and you will sit on my right hand.’ He did so. When the imperial party reached the steps, Shah Alam advanced, interviewed, and kissed the Emperor’s toes. His Majesty, after shaking hands with him, took his left hand in his own right hand, and entered the mosque. Thus it happened that the eldest prince sat on the right close to the Emperor. Shah-i-Alijah (i.e., Azam) who came behind, placed his sword on the ground before the Emperor and touched the arm of his elder brother wishing him to move away and make room for him to sit on the Emperor’s right. His Majesty’s glance fell on that side; with his right hand he grasped the skirt of Alijah and dragged him to the left side... When the prayers were said and the *khatib* ascended the pulpit (to proclaim the Emperor’s titles), His Majesty rose from his seat, holding the hand of Alijah, and went out by the second gate, making a sign to the eldest prince to go out by the third gate with his sons.” This precaution was taken to prevent an armed encounter between the retainers of the two rival brothers. (M.A. 372.)
v3.c37.s2.9
Khafi Khan (ii. 407-410) tells a story that in 1692 or 1693 Azam had openly expressed anger and disappointment on hearing of the Emperor's intention to release Shah Alam. Immediately wild rumours spread through the imperial camp that the prince wanted to attack his father and proclaim his own independence, while hostile intentions on the part of the Emperor also were believed by the babblers of Azam's army. But Aurangzib called the prince and his sons to an interview at a lonely place, made an affectation of placing himself entirely in Azam's power, and then dismissed him with a hint that he was lucky in escaping his elder brother's fate. In the meantime Azam's wives and harem women had given him up for lost and were bewailing his supposed captivity. One such lesson was enough for Azam. Ever afterwards he used to tremble and turn pale before opening any letter from his father of which the contents had not been previously reported to him by his agent at Court. He never rebelled. Ishwardas says (87 a and b) that in 1683 he strongly resented a false suspicion of the Emperor that he was forming a disloyal intrigue with Dilir Khan, and the Emperor had to soothe his son's injured feelings.