History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c60.s17.4

v4.c60.s17.4

Meanwhile, at Agra, Hiraji lay in bed all that night and well into the afternoon of the next day. The guards who peeped in in the morning were satisfied when they saw Shivaji's gold bracelet on the sleeper's wrist, and a servant sitting on the floor massaging the patient's feet. About 3 P.M. Hiraji quietly walked out of the house with the servant, warning the sentries at the gate, "Make less noise; Shivaji is ill and under treatment." Gradually the guards' suspicion was aroused; the house seemed strangely deserted; no crowd of visitors came to see Shivaji as usual; and there was no sound, no stir in the house. They entered his room and found that the bird had flown! They at once ran with the astounding news to their chief Fulad Khan, who reported it to the Emperor, ascribing Shivaji's flight to witchcraft and saving himself from all blame.