History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c80.s5: § 15. Last illness and death of Aurangzib.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c80.s5
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§ 15. Last illness and death of Aurangzib.
v5.c80.s5.1
The event happened only a week after his departure. Four days after sending away the last of his sons from his side, the aged and worn-out monarch, now left in utter loneliness, was seized with a severe fever; but for three days he obstinately insisted on coming to the Court-room and saying the five daily prayers in full congregation. In these days he often recited the couplet of foreboding—
v5.c80.s5.2
"In a twinkle, in a minute, in a breath,
The condition of the world changes."
v5.c80.s5.3
On Thursday, the 19th, Hamid-ud-din Khan, by the advice of astrologers submitted a petition for giving away an elephant worth Rs. 4,000 in alms (tasadduq) for averting evil influences from the Emperor. The dying man sanctioned it, but added across the petition, "The giving away of an elephant in charity is a custom of the Hindus and star-worshippers. Give, instead, Rs. 4000 to the Chief Qazi for distribution among the poor. Convey quickly to the first station and consign to dust this heap of dust." [M. A. 521 ; K. K. 549 adds, "Do not go to the ornament of a coffin."]
v5.c80.s5.4
During these last days he dictated two pathetic letters to his sons Azam and Kam Bakhsh, entreating them to cultivate brotherly love peace and moderation, and illustrating the vanity of all earthly things. These are given in the next appendix, as also is a paper, said to have been found under his pillow after his death, in which he proposed a peaceful partition of his empire among his three surviving sons.
v5.c80.s5.5
In the morning of Friday, 20th February, 1707, Aurangzib came out of his bedroom, went through his morning prayer, and began to count his beads and repeat the Islamic confession of faith in the oneness of the Godhead and the Prophetship of Muhammad. Gradually unconsciousness crept on, his breathing became harder and harder ; but such was the mastery of that indomitable spirit over the natural weakness of the body that his fingers continued to move over his rosary and his lips to gasp out the *Kalimah*, till about eight o'clock when all was over. He had ever wished to die on a Friday, and that prayer had been granted by a gracious Deity to one of His truest servants. [M.A. 521, K. K. ii. 549.]