History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s9.30

v4.c64.s9.30

On 3rd April 1682, the Surat factors report that Aurangzib "hath with him a great army, with which he sits still and attempts nothing, being under great jealousies and fears, thinks himself hardly secure." On 31st August a false rumour is reported from Khandesh, "All the news that we have heard since our last is that Sultan Azam is revolted and sides with the Deccanis" [i.e., Bijapur.] Next year (10th April 1683) the Surat Council write, "All his forces that were against his son Akbar and Shambhuji Rajah he hath withdrawn, which was a sudden thing, and put several thoughts into all people." In May 1683 Aurangzib repeatedly proposed to go back to Hindustan, leaving either Khan-i-Jahan or Shah Alam or Azam in charge of the Deccan War. But they successively declined the onerous task, giving very sound reasons for doing so. Shah Alam replied that if Amir Khan, the able and successful subahdar of Kabul, was given to him as his second in command he could accept the viceroyalty of the Deccan, otherwise not. Amir Khan asked to be allowed to hold his Kabul viceroyalty by deputy while serving in the Deccan! [Jaipur records.]