History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s6.8

v4.c69.s6.8

On 15th February the imperial camp reached Bahadurgarh, when the captives were brought there, under guard of Hamid-ud-din Khan. By the Emperor's orders, the oppressor of the Deccan was made a mark of public ridicule. Four miles outside the encampment, Shambhuji and Kavi-kalash were dressed as buffoons with long fool's caps and bells placed on their heads, mounted on camels, and brought to Bahadurgarh with drums beating and trumpets pealing. Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the roads, to gaze at Shambhuji as at a new kind of wild beast or demon. Thus degraded, the captives were slowly paraded through the entire camp and finally brought to the Emperor who was sitting in full darbar for the occasion. At the sight of the prisoner, Aurangzib descended from his throne and kneeling down on the carpet bowed his head to the ground in double thankfulness to the Giver of this crowning victory.* After he had looked at them, the captives were removed to prison.