History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s9.33

v4.c64.s9.33

So much we learn from the camp gossip recorded by the English merchants and more briefly by Manucci too. (Storia, ii. 259). The private memoir-writers in Persian tell us a little more. Bhimsen narrates, 'The Emperor felt a suspicion against Prince Azam who had been sent to Ahmadnagar, and he summoned the Prince and Dilir Khan to his presence.' They delayed coming, but with great insistence he made them come. Dilir fell under the Emperor's punishment.' (160.) Ishwardas (67) is more detailed. He tells us that the Prince paid a midnight visit to the tent of Dilir Khan, his chief officer, and spent four hours in private talk with him. Spies reported the incident to the Emperor, whose suspicion was roused, so that he removed the Prince from the command of the expedition and recalled all his officers to Court. The Prince in anger resigned all his posts, disbanded his army, and shut himself up in his house, refusing to see anybody. Then the Emperor visited him and pacified his mind with soothing words.' Dilir Khan The Emperor's anger against Shah Alam was said to have been due to that Prince's very great kindness towards Akbar and unwillingness to follow the ruthless policy of slaying him in battle or, worse still, bringing him in alive to undergo his incensed father's vengeance.