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Squeaky Door

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.
 HIS PRECAUTIONS IN THE WAR OF SUCCESSION 47
force]. It is easier to defeat the first division than to defeat the
whole army. In case he himself [i.e. Dara] boldly comes on, and
crosses the Xarmada, his condition will be this : ( Verse) The man
who goes far from his asylum and home Becomes helpless, afflicted,
and forsaken. In the water even the lion becomes the pre\' of fishes,
On dry land the crocodile becomes the food of ants. This delay is for
the above purpose and not for whiling away my time. Nay more,
there is another object, to which the advantage already mentioned is
subordinate (or corollary). This second object is that I may know the
circumstances of the men accompanying me, both poor and rich ; if
a man delays inspite of his being well-to-do, then it is better not to
take him along any further from this place, because in future this
state of things will cause a total failure. In case I make a quick
march, those nobles whose sincerity is doubtful may show
negligence and delay, and then the distance [from my base] being
great, it will be impossible to remedy the evil, and I shall have either
to helplessly leave them in their negligence or to return and correct
them." When Xajabat Khan heard this, he kissed AurangyJb's feet
and cried out, " God knows best where to send one on a prophetic
mission." The above blessed saying was verified by this fact that
Mirza Shah Nawaz Khan, one of the officers appointed to the
Deccan, did not come* with Aurangzib * Ir. Ms. reads came.
 48 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB during the first day's
march, and on the second day's march he submitted, " In
consideration of my being a servant of Shah Jahan, I have no help
but to remain here as a private person {fagi)\) I have no connection
with Dara Shukoh. One of my daughters has been married to you
and another to Murad Bakhsh. I have no relationship with Dara
Shukoh which it might be necessary for me to respect. Your
Highness knows well that I have not shown, in any battle or halt,
any shortcoming or holding back which may be attributed to
cowardice or disloyalty." Aurangzib replied, " Indeed, the claim of
fidelity to silt is not distant from man of pure blood [like you]. But
assemblies are baing held here ; I wish to see you [daily] for some
days, and shall give you leave to depart when I resume my march.
What need is there that you should turn faqir ?" Shah Nawaz Khan
said,, " This, too, is opposed to a servant's duties. It is Shah Jahan's
business to cherish his old servants." After this Aurangzib gave out
that he was down with looseness of the bowels. The nobles who
came to pay the [customary] visit to the sick, were ordered to enter
alone and one by one, leaving their attendants outside. Thus, on the
second day, when Mirza Shah Nawaz Khan came. Shaikh Mir
promptly arrested him, tied him hand and neck, and placed him
handcuffed and chained on the liawdah of an elephant. That very
moment Aurangzib gave the order to march. After reaching
Burhanpur, Shah Nawaz Khan was imprisoned.
 HIS PRECAUTIONS IN THE WAR OF SUCCESSION 49 After
the victory over Dara Shukoh, at the entreaty of Zebunnissa Begam,
— who had abstained from food for three days, saying that she
would keep fasting till her maternal grandfather was released, —
Aurangzib with anger and displeasure ordered him to be set free and
appointed him Governor of Ahmadabad, which province had been
without a Governor since Murad Bakhsh left it. But Aurangzib said, "
My mind is not free from anxiety [about him]. I have issued this
order under compulsion, but I shall reconsider it carefully
afterwards. As he is a Syed, it is hard to order his execution.
Otherwise, there is the well-known saying, 'A severed head tells no
tale.' " What he had said did finally come to pass. After Dara's flight,
the Khan joined him in the battle of Ajmir and was slain in the midst
of the fight. Tex/.—lr. Ms. 25 a— 26 b. Notes. — Aurangzib started
from Aurangabad on 5th February, 1658 to contest the throne. At
Arsul, 4 miles N. E. of the city, he halted for one day only.
{Alamgirnainah^ 43-44)- But a halt of one month ( 1 8th Feb— 20th
March) was made at Burhanpur. "Shah Nawaz Khan Safawi did not
accompany Aurangzib, but lingered at Burhanpur under \arious
pretexts. So the prince on reaching Manduah (25th March) sent
Muhammad Sultan and Shaikh Mir back to Burhanpur to arrest and
confine Shah Nawaz Khan in the fort of Burhanpur" (Ibtd^ 52). Shah
Nawaz Khan Safawi, the fatherin-law of Aurangzib, was a Syed of
very high pedigree. (Life in M. U. ii. 670). At the end of September
Aurangzib from Multan ordered his release and appointed him
Subahdar of Guzerat. Slain in the battle of Ajmir, 14th March, 1659.
{^A. N. 209, 323.) 4
 50 ANECDOTtS OF AURANGZIB § 7. Battle of Khaiwah. On
the night preceding the day which had been fixed for the battle with
Shuja, when about 7| hours of the night had worn on, the Emperor
learnt that Rajah Jaswant Singh, who had been given the command
of the Van, had detefmined to go over to Shuja with his own troops
who numbered 14,000 cavalry and infantry, and that during his
journey he had laid a severe hand on (/. ^., looted) the followers
and animals of the Imperial Camp, so that the orderly arrangement
of the army had been broken up, and a great panic had seized the
men, many of whom had joined this wretch's (Jaswant's) force and
were advancing with him in the path of misfortune. The Emperor
was then engaged in the tahajjud prayer ; on hearing the report he
made a sign with his hand [as if to say] 'If he has gone away, let
him go away,' but gave no other reply. After finishing his prayer, he
summoned Mir Jumla and said, " This incident, too, is a mercy from
God, for if the hypocrite had taken this step in the midst of the
battle, it would have been hard to remedy the mischief." Then he
ordered the kettledrums to be beaten and his mount to be got ready.
Riding an elephant, he passed the rest of tlie night in that condition.
When the sun rose it was found that the army of Shuja was coming
on from the left side firing its artillery.* A number of men, whose
day of death had *MS. N. reads differently: "It was found that the
force with Aurangzib was not ■even one-fonrth of Shuja's army.
There was a short artillery-fight. He (Shuja or Aurangaib?) came on
from the left side with his own Vanguard."
 aurakgzib's last will and testament 51 arrived, were slain.
Aurangzib ordered the driver of his elephant, " Make my elephant
reach Shuja's elephant by any means that you can." Just then
Murshid Quli Khan, who was the Emperor's counsellor and close
companion, said, " This kind of audacity is opposed to the practice of
emperors." Aurangzib replied, "Neither of us has yet become
em.peror. Men become emperors only after showing this sort of
daring. And if after one has become emperor his courage decreases,
his authority does not last. ( Verse) "That man [alone] can clasp
tightly in his arms the bride of kingship Who plants kisses on the
keen sword's lip." 7V.V/. — Ir. Ms. 4d — 5a, Ms. N. 33(1; — 34^^.
Notes. — The battle of Khajwah took place on 5th January, 1659,
and ended in the utter rout of Shuja. For a full account of the battle
see History of Aurangzib, ch. 19. Murshid Quli Khan, Khurasani,
{Masir-ul-umara, iii. 493—500), the able revenue administrator of
the Deccan during Aurangzib's viceroyalty was siain in the battle of
Dharmat, and so could not have been present at Khajwah. The other
Murshid Quli Khan, Nawab of Bengal, entered the Imperial service
long afterwards. Tahnjjud, the last prayer of the night, is usually said
after midnight. § 8. Aurang-zib's last will and testament. " Praise be
to God and blessing- on those servants [of Him] who have become
sanctified and have given satisfaction [to Him]. I have [some
instructions to leave as my] last will and testament :
 52 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB First, — On behalf of this
sinner sunk in iniquity [2>., myself] cover [with an offering of cloth]
the holy tomb of Hasan (on him be peace !), because those who are
drowned in the ocean of sin have no other protection except seeking
refuge with that Portal of Mercy and Forgiveness, The means of
performing this great auspicious act are with my noble son, Prince
Alijah ; take them. Second, — Four rupees and two annas, out of the
price of the caps sewn by me, are with Aia Beg, the inahaldai'. Take
the amount and spend it on the shroud of this helpless creature.
Three hundred and five rupees, from the wages of copying the
Quran, are in my purse for personal expenses. Distribute them to the
faqirs on the day of my death. As the money got by copying the
Quran is regarded with respect by the Shiah sectf, do not spend it on
my shroud and other necessaries. Third, — Take the remaining
necessary articles from the agent of Prince Alijah ; as he is the
nearest heir among my sons, and on him lies the responsibility of
the lawful or unlawful [practices at my funeral] ; this helpless person
(i.e., Aurangzib) is not answerable for them, because the dead are at
the mercy of the survivors. Fourth, — Bury this wanderer in ' the
Valley of Deviation from the Right Path ' with his head bare, t The
readi«g in MS. N. may be taken to mean, " As the money got by
copjing the Quran is suspected by the Shiah sect to be an unlawful
[kind of wealth]."
 AURANGZIB'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 53 because
every ruined sinner who is conducted bareheaded before the Grand
Emperor {i.e., God), is sure to be an object of mercy. Fifth, — Cover
the top of the coffin on my bier with the coarse white cloth called
ga.zi. Avoid the spreading of a canopy and innovations like
[processions of] musicians and the celebration of the Prophet's
Nativity {inaulud). Sixth, — It is proper for the ruler of the kingdom
{i.e., my heir) to treat kindly the helpless servants who in the train
of this shameless creature [Aurangzib] have been roving in the
deserts and wilderness [of the Deccan]. Even if any manifest fault is
committed by them, give them in return for it gracious forgiveness
and benignant over-looking [of the fault]. Seventh, — No other
nation is better than the Persians for acting as clerks (mtitasaddi).
And in war, too, from the age of the Emperor Humayun to the
present time, none of this nation has turned his face away from the
field, and their firm feet have never been shalcen. Moreover, they
have not once been guilty of disobedience or treachery to their
master. But, as they insist on being treated with great honour, it is
very difficult to pull on well with them. You have anyhow to
conciliate them, and should employ subterfuges. Eighth, — The
Turani people have ever been soldiers. They are very expert in
making charges, raids, night-attacks and arrests. They feel no
suspicion, despair or shame when commanded to make a retreat
 54 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB in the very midst of a fight,
which means, in other words, * when the arrow is drawn back ' ; —
and they are a hundred stages remote from the crass stupidity of
the Hindustanis, who would part with their heads but not leave their
positions [in battle]. In every way, you should confer favours on this
race, because on many occasions these men can do the necessary
service, when no other race can. Ninth, — You should treat the
Syeds of Barha, who are worthy of blessing, according to the
Quranic verse, 'Give unto the near relations [of the Prophet} their
dues,' and never grow slack in honouring and favouring them. In as
much as, according to the blessed verse, ' I say I do not ask of you
any recompense for it except love to [my] kinsmen', love for this
family is the wages of [Muhammad's] Prophetship, you should never
be wanting [in respect for them], and it will bear fruit in this world
and the next. But you should be extremely cautious in dealing with
the Syeds of Barha. Be not wanting in love of them at heart, but
externally do not increase their rank, because a strong partner in the
government soon wants to seize the kingship for himself. If you let
them take the reins ever so little, the result will be your own
disgrace. Tenth, — As far as possible the ruler of a kingdom should
not spare himself from moving about ; he should avoid staying in
one place, which outwardly gives him repose but in effect brings on
a thousand calamities and troubles.
 aurangzib's last will and testament 55 Eleventh, — Never
trust your sons, nor treat them during your life-time in an intimate
manner, because, if the Emperor Shah Jahan had not treated Dara
Shukoh in this manner, his affairs would not have come to such a
sorry pass. Ever keep in view the saying, *The word of a king is
bapren.' Twelfth, — The main pillar of government is to be well
informed in the news of the kingdom. Negligence for a single
moment becomes the cause of disgrace for long years. The escape
of the wretch Shiva took place through [my] carelessness, and I
have to labour hard [against the Marathas] to the end of my life, [as
the result of it]. Twelve is blessed [among numbers]. I have
concluded with twelve directions. ( Verse) If you learn [the lesson],
a kiss on your wisdom, If you neglect it, then alas ! alas ! Tex^.—li
Ms. 8^— loa. Ms. N. id — 3/^, incomplete, ends -with the 9th
clause. Nofes. — Alijah was the title conferred by Aurangzib on his
sons Muazzam and Azam, The latter is evidently meant here, as he
was with the Emperor shortly before his death.
 $6 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB SECTION II. ABOUT HIS
SONS AND GRANDSONS. A. Bahadur Shah (Muazzam). § 9. Arrest of
Prince Muazzam. WHEN the Emperor called for Prince Muhammad
Muazzam Bahadur Shah, intending to imprison him, he came to the
Emperor in the chapel. His Majesty told Bakhtawar Khan, the
Superintendent of the Perfume Department, " Bring every essence
(atar) that my son wishes for." Bahadur Shah submitted, " What
power has this slave to make any choice himself? Any essence that
your Majesty may be graciously pleased to present would be better
[than one of my selection]. " The Emperor replied, " This order of
mine is also an act of grace." Then Bahadur Shah told Bakhtawar
Khan, " Any essence that you have, except the essence of scented
wax (atar-i-fitna), is good." His Majesty cried out, " Yes, I too,
having the same prudential consideration in my mind, have put you
to trouble in this house." [^^When the essence arrived, he ordered
the Prince to put off his arms and come nearer, in order that the
Emperor might, with his own hand, rub him over with the essence.
After the perfuming, when the Prince went [back] to make his bow
[of thanks-giving], the Emperor went away, ordering Muharram
Khan, with the help of Hamid-ud-din Khan, to disarm the four sons
of the Prince, and detain all the five there. As
 WISE COUNSELS FOR KINGS 5/ they went up first of all to
Muhammad Muizuddin, the latter laid his hand on the hilt of his
sword. Bahadur Shah in anger cried [to his son], " Wretch, you are
resisting the order of your Centre of Faith and K'aba {i.e.. His Sacred
Majesty) ! " With his own hands he tore off his [eldest] son's arms
and gave them up to Muharram Khan. The other sons without
objection stripped off their arms and surrendered them. When the
Emperor heard of it, he said, " The chapel has taken the place of the
Well of Joseph, and he will attain to the dignity of Joseph." 7l'.r/.—
Ir. Ms. -ja. Notes. — Price Muazzam, afterwards Emperor Bahadur
Shah I, was imprisoned by Aurangzib on 20th February, 1687, and
released on gth May, 1695, v.hen he was sent to Agra as Governor.
The Masir-i-Alamgiri (p. 294) gives a slightly different account of the
manner of his arrest. The Bakhtawar Khan of this anecdote could not
have been the author of the Mirat-i-alam (who died on 9th February,
1695), but was evidently Khwajah Bakhtawar, created a Khan in
April, 1705. There is a play upon the word fitna., which means (i)
scented wax and (2) disturbance, tumult. The Kaba is the square
temple of black stone at Mecca, towards which Muslims turn their
faces when praying. Joseph, the son of Jacob, was flung into a dry
well by his wicked brothers, and then sold as a slave to some
merchants going to Egypt, and this calamity was the means of his
future greatness as the Prime Minister of Egypt. (Genesis, XXXVII.
24). § 10. Wise Counsels for King's. On the day when the Emperor
released Bahadur Shah from captivity, he made him sit down in his
presence and told him, " As a father like me has been pleased with
you, the crown will certainly fall to your
 58 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB lot. I had no need to
satisfy my father Shah Jahan, as he was devoted to Dara Shukoh,
who had become the comrade of Hindus and \x\^Aq\ yogis
(ascetics). It is simply the assistance of the faith of the Syed among
Prophets, i.e., Muhammad, (on whom be blessing's and peace I )
that is the cause of victory.'^ Some counsels I am going to give you
; you should lay them to heart. Although I know it for certain that it
is far from your nature to put them into practice, yet I am speaking
out of paternal affection and in view of the love and obedience
which you have shown. " FIRST, — an Emperor ought to stand
midvray between gentleness and severity. If either of these two
qualities exceeds the other, it becomes a cause of the ruin of his
throne, because in case of excessive gentleness, the people display
audacity, while the increase of harshness scarces away hearts, e.g.,
my uncle Sultan. Ulugh Beg, in spite of his graces and good
qualities, was fearless, in shedding blood, so that for petty offences
he ordered executions. His son, Abdul Latif, made him prisoner and
sent him to the Fort of Nahawand. On the way he asked a man, '
What do you think was the cause of the fall of my royal power ? '
The man answered, ' On account of your bloodshed, which made
men shrink from you.' What my august ancestor the Emperor
Humayun displayed was improper negligence, forgiveness, and
weakness in affairs, because, in spite of his repeatedly hearing of
the audacious deeds of Shir Khan in the province of Bengal, he acted
with careless* Text has ' advice ' which makes no sense. I read
nusrat for nasihat.
 WISE COUNSELS FOR KINGS 59 ness [towards Shir Khan],
and only rebuked his father, Hasan Sur, saying ' You know of your
son's acts and yet you do not write to him [ to remonstrate ] ! '
Hasan rephed, ' His acts have passed beyond the stage of writing. I
know not what your Majesty's neghgence will at last result in.' "
NEXT this, — an emperor should never allow himself to be fond of
ease and inclined to retirement, because the most fatal cause of the
decline of kingdoms and the destruction of royal power is this
undesirable habit. Always be moving about, as much as possible. (
Verse) It is bad for both emperors and water to remain at the same
place, The water grows putrid and the king's power sUps out of his
control. In touring lie the honour, ease, and splendour of kings, The
desire of comfort and happiness makes him untrustworthy. "NEXT
this, — always plan how to train your servants, and appoint every
one to the task for Vvhich you deem him fit. It is opposed to wisdom
to order a carpetweaver to do the work of blacksmith. Don't impose
the task of the old on the young, nor that of the young on the old,
because elderly people feel ashamed in doing the work of
youngmen, and the young have not the capacity of doing the work
of the old, so that utter disorder prevails in the affairs of the State."
7>.r/.— Ir. Ms. 7a—2>a. Notes. — Mirza Ulugh Beg, a grandson of
Timur, and the learned author of Astronomical Tables, was king of
Samarqand till 1449, when he was deposed and murdered by his
son Abdul Latif.
 "60 AMECDOTES OF AURANGZIB §11. Advice to his Heir.
Gloomy Prophecy. When the Emperor released Prince Muhammad
Muazzam I^ahadur Shah from confinement, he conferred favours
and gifts on him, and, on the day of giving him leave to depart, said,
" Although out of sheer necessity and force [of circumstances] I
have punished your extremely ruinous acts by keeeping you in
prison for some years, yet, this is the strongest sign of [your future]
kingship, as the fortune and dignity of Joseph were conditional on
his being [first] imprisoned. God willing, the same process will take
place in your case. In this hope I have in my lifetime entrusted to
you [the governorship of] paradise-like Hindustan. " The presages of
my horoscope, — composed by Fazil Khan Ala-ul-mulkv [and giving
the incidents] from the day of my birth till after my death, — have
all been verified by Actual experience.^ In that horoscope it is
written that after me;^ will come an Emperor, ignorant, narrow-
minded, overpowered by injuries, — whose words will be all
imperfect and whose plans will be immature. He will act towards
some with so much prodigality as almost to drown them, and
towards others with so much rigour as to raise the fear of [utter]
decline. All these admirable qualities and praiseworthy characteristics
are found in your nature ! Although I shall send[? or leave] t One
example of the correctness of the horoscope is given in Masir-ul-
uniara, tii. 529t The translation here follows the Ir. MS. But MS. N.
reads, " After this reign, which is the divider of the life of Sainak-i-
raviih and Samak-i-a zal (two portions of ihe constellation Leo) and is
situated at the most conspicuous place of ihe degree of 4iscendency,
an emperor shall come, dr'c."
 ADVICE TO HIS HEIR. GLOOMY PROPHECY 6 1 behind me
a very competent luazir who has come to the front in my reign and
whom I have secured, yet what good will it do, as the four pillars of
the empire, viz. my four sons, will never leave that poor man to
himself to do his work ? In spite of this being the case, [he] ought
still to exert [himself] that the work [of administration] may on the
whole be well done. But it is a rule of medicine that although the
lower limbs of the body may retain their strength so long as the bad
humour does not descend from the upper parts of the body, in the
end the disease turns into [general] weakness and slackness, may
even into disorder and decline. In this matter, too, the same is the
case. Although owing to my marching through wildernesses and
forests, my officers, who love repose and feel disgusted with their
own parents, long for the destruction of this my borrowed life, — yet
after my death they will, owing to the thoughtlessness and
ignorance of this son incapable of appreciating merit, demand for
themselves that very thing {viz.^ death) which they are now praying
for me. Any how, I advise you, out of a father's love, *Don't be so
salt that [your subjects] would spit you out of their mouths, nor be
so sweet that the}- may gulp you down.' But this advice is out of
place here, as saltishness is not at all present in your nature, but is
the share of your dear brother. The portion of saltlessness is the lot
of you, my very sagacious son. Ma)God keep both the brothers in
perfect moderation ! Amen, O Lord of the Universe ! " Text. — Ir. Ms.
19^ & 20^, Ms. N. i\b — 23a. \
 62 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB Notes. — Aurangzib's
favourite wasir was Asad Khan. Fazil Khan (Mulla Ala-ul-mulk Tuni), a
versatile scholar, was Shah Jahan's Khansainan. (Life in M.U. iii. 524
— 530). § 12. Infringrement of Royal Prerogative. From the news-
letter of Kabul the Emperor learnt that Prince Muhammad Muazzam
Bahadur Shah had -at the time of his holding Court ordered four
drums to be beaten. The Emperor wrote, " The Prime Minister
should write to the Prince a ' Letter By Order' to this effect : — In
the place of four drums you should beat four tabors, because it is
the prerogative of Emperors alone to beat kettledrums while holding
Court. When God gives you [the throne], you will [enjoy these
Imperial rights]. Why this impatience ?" Text. — Ir. Ms. 3
 INFRINGEMENT OF ROYAL PREROGATIVE 63 towards his
sons, so that matters came to a pass that is notorious." On the
margin the Emperor wrote, "The nazir (of Kabul) is dismissed from
his post and reduced in rank by a hundred troopers, as he has not
written a single syllable about this affair. Muharram Khan should
recommend another nazh-. Entirely change the jagirs of the news-
writer and reporter [of Kabul]. I have not degraded them in rank as
they may be of service in future. The courier {haj'karah) should
quickly make another inquiry and write about the facts. If it is true,
the Prince should be removed from the governorship and summoned
to my presence." Text.—\x. Ms. \oa & d., not in Ms. N. § 14. Royal
Prerog-ative Infringed. The Emperor learnt from the letter of the
nasir of Muhammad Muazzam Bahadur Shah that when the Prince
was issuing from the Chakla of Sarhind he whispered something into
the ears of the Superintendent of the elephants which the writer
could not catch. When they had advanced 8 miles from the [last]
halting place, a fight took place between two infuriated elephants.
The Prince himself stopped with his troops and campfollowers and
witnessed the fight ; afterwards the drive»K of the two elephants
separated them from each other and continued the journey. But in
this combat neither of the elephants had hurt or trodden down any
person. On the sheet the Emperor wrote, " The first statement was
due to fear for his life, as concealment [of the matter] was possible.
The second statement, that ' neither
 64 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB of the elephants had hurt
anybody,' displays the shame of avarice which makes people blind
and dumb. The Chief Paymaster should reduce the nazir's rank by
200 • and change his jagir in proportion to the reduction in his rank.
The Prime Minister should write to the foolish Prince a 'Letter by
Order' in the place of a farman, saying, 'Ordering an elephant-fight is
the exclusive prerogative of kings. By these useless and unprofitable
longings you cannot get the crown sooner. When the time comes
and fortune befriends you, you will be king. What ruins a man is
demanding more than his lot and before the ordained time. Why do
you [by such assumption of royalty] make me angry and yourself
afflicted ? " Text.—\r. Ms. \ui & b, Ms. N. 21a !k b. % 15. Royal
Prerogative Infring-ed. From the news-letter of the province of Kabul
the Emperor learnt that Muhammad Muazzam Bahadur Shah, on the
days that he held Court, used to sit on a platform standing one yard
above the ground. The Emperor wrote on the sheet ( Verse) It is not
by mere wishing that our works are done. God's grace is required in
every work. You cannot secure the seat of great ones by [mere] rash
acts, Unless you have gathered together all the materials for
greatnessIt is very strange that the confinement of so many years
has not reformed the presumptuous mind of this proud and foolish
[Prince]. Two strict macebearers should be sent to make him get
down from his seat in open Court, and to dismantle the platform. If
they
 •| n VY ■aa.i^MiM SUSPICIOUS WATCHING OF HIS SONS
65, arrive [at Kabul] when he is not holding Court, they should wait
till he does so, and then carry out my order, as a recompense for
that which they do. The late Emperor Shah Jahan showed so much
leniency and negligence towards his sons that the independent chief
of affairs was turned upside down. Tex/.— lr. Ms. 2id. § 16.
Suspicious watching of his sons. Hamida Banu, the superintendent
{inahalddr) of the harem of Muhammad Muazzam Bahadur Shah,
from the province of Multan petitioned the Emperor, "Very often at
night in the Prince's private chamber, where his beloved ones come,
he takes with himself his pen-case and memorandum-book. Out of
regard for etiquette it is not allowed by the Court regulations that
the niahaldar or her deputy should be present at that time. When
your Majesty gave this old slave woman [the writer] her congee you
told her orally, and you also inserted it in a [subsequent] royal letter,
that whenever the Prince would call for. his pen-case this old
bondmaid or her deputy Sharf-un-nissa should be present. These are
the facts. What order in this matter ? " The Emperor wrote in
answer, "If you ^cannot in etiquette go to the Prince's private
chamber, what etiquette is there in your refusing to send him the
pencase ? In any case in future do not at all leave the pencase in the
inner apartments. I have also sent an order to the nazir that
whenever the Prince in the outer apart5
 66 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB ments needs [writing
materials] he should produce the pen-case, so that the Prince may
keep it with himself only till the necessary signatures are finished ;
thereafter the nasir should keep it under his own seal. Tell my foolish
son that his captivity for so many years has not made him wise, as
he has taken such audacious steps ! Even now the matter has not
gone out [of my hand]. Distance cannot prevent [me from]
punishing [him]. ( Verse) Here is the polo-ball, and here is the field,
You inconsiderate, utterly ignorant man." Text. — Ms. N. 2oa 6 —
201^ 12. Notes. — Prince Muazzam after having been confined by
his father from 1687, was finally released in 1695, and on 13th July,
1696, went to Multan as Governor, {M.A. 382.) Here he remained for
two years, nominally a Viceroy, but still watched by his jealous
father's spies. The viahaldar was the highest female servant and
controlled the harem, — a sort of female major domo. She evidently
acted as a spy in the interests of the Emperor. B. AzAM Shah § 17.
The Capitulation of Parli. The siege of the fort of Parli had continued
for four months, and then the rainy season approached. It was usual
in that part for the rains to be accompanied by ^il-storms. The
soldiers were in consequence _greatly alarmed. Shaikh Sadullah
Khan submitted to the Emperor, through Muharram Khan, " If the
Emperor's son Ali-jah is not displeased, peace can be made in a
day." His Majesty said, " Wait to-day ; the answer will be given to-
morrow." At the end of the
 THE CAPITULATION OF PARLI ^7 day it became known
that the Prince had an intolerable aversion to making peace, and
that the Shaikh had arranged for the surrender of the fort on the
sole condition that the commandant and the garrison should go out
[freely] without any property. The Emperor said, " Make the
agreement complete, so that immediately on my giving the order,
the Imperial flag may be planted on the fort without any delay." As
he ordered, so the matter was settled. Next day, when holding the
morning Court, His Majesty said to Prince Alijah, " I have to show
consideration for your feelings. Otherwise, making peace is not so
very difficult. Others, too, may accomplish it." The Prince replied, " I
agree to any method by which your Majesty's work can be done."
The Emperor rejoined, "But you will afterwards feel aggrieved!" The
Prince answered, " What power has this slave to be displeased with
his holy guide and preceptor ?" and then [after a pause] he asked, "
Who is this man, the instrument for making peace ?" " Shaikh
Sadullah" answered His Majesty. The Prince said, " Let an order be
issued to bring Shaikh Sadullah to the presence." The Emperor told
Muharram Khan, "Send word to the Shaikh to plant the flag quickly
on the fort." After two gharis the flag was set up there and the
music of victory was pla}'ed. Prince Azam with extreme irritation and
anger said, " We servants of your Majesty ought now to take poison,
as these rascals {Pqfi) have become your companions." The Emperor
answered.
 68 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB " I have indeed cherished
rascals. Now I shall drive both the rascals out of my camp. Shaikh
Sadullah will be sent to the Base Camp, and you to the Province of
Ahmadabad (z*. e., Guzerat)". Then he ordered that Siadat Khan,
the superintendent of the mace-bearers, with all the mace-bearers
should accompany the Prince and make him reside at Sanpgaon, 3
koses from the Imperial army, without permitting the Prince to go
back to his present quarters. Then His Majesty dropped the screen
and retired from the Court. Prince Azam, in confusion and
astonishment, entreated the mediation of Asad Khan, the wazir, who
begged the Emperor to give the Prince two days' respite, that the
rains might stop a little. His Majesty replied, " What business have
my servants to say anything in the affairs of my sons ?" Asad Khan
felt ashamed of having made the request. However, the Prince with
the mace-bearers took up his residence in his own quarters, and
thence submitted to the Emperor, "Wax for making oil-cloth cannot
be had." Aurangzib replied, " You may take some from the Imperial
Government [stores] after paying the price." The Prince prayed that
the price might be deducted from his cash stipend. The Emperor
wrote [on the application], " No wise man leaves cash to be turned
into credit,* for, at the time of payment there is no knowing who will
live and who will be dead. You * Ms. N. reads, " It can't be. This is
credit busiiiess, while I have written about cash payment. When the
time for paying [the credit price] comes, there is no Vnowing &c."
 STRICT JUSTICE BETWEEN A PRINCE & A COMMONER 69
must pay the price in cash and take [the wax]." So, the Prince did as
he was ordered ; he sent Rs. 1,200 and got the wax. Text. — Ir. Ms.
2^— 3«, Ms. N. 39a — upb. Notes. — The fort of Parli, which is
described as 4 m. from Satara, was besieged by Aurangzib from 30th
April to 9th June, 1700 {Masir-i-Atamgiri., 425 — 428). Prince AHjah
was Muhammad ' Azam, the 3rd son of Aurangzib. Shaikh Sadullah
was at one time the musharraf of the Emperor's personal attendants
{khawas). Mace-bearers were somewhat like sergeants, and made
arrests and carried out the Emperor's disciplinary orders. § 18. Strict
Justice between a Prince and a Commoner. Prince Muhammad Azam
Shah wrote a letter to Inayatullah Khan with instructions to submit
to the Emperor the purport of the letter and his requests. He stated
therein, " Syed L'al, who has been holding a rank iinansab) in the
Mughal service for three generations, drinks wine and does many
kinds of irreligious practices {bid^at) in my jagir of Mandesor. The
Emperor should order his jagir to be taken away from him and given
to me, so that this evil may be put down." The Emperor wrote
across the petition, "It is a novel and funny manner of appropriation
to take on yourself a v/ork which appertains to the Censor of Morals
and to pray for the transfer of another's jagir. It is impossible to
transfer a jagir held for one generation only, — what to speak of one
enjoyed for three generations ? I won't transfer anybody's jagir at
the mere word of any other man. In being my servants this
 JO ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB son and Syed L'al are
exactly equal, while the latter, by reason of his being a Syed, is a
thousand steps higher. The chief Sadar should write to the Censor of
that place to enquire into the truth of the matter and report the
details to me. Praised be God that I have not given my sons
predominance as the Emperor Shah Jahan did, lest I should be put
to disgrace [by them]." Text. — Ir. Ms. 2>
 BE NOT TOO BOLD 7 1 The society of the good does not
turn a bad nature into good, The almond retains its bitter kernel
even in sugar. Manliness does not consist in audacity and
fearlessness but in breaking one's self {i.e. humility). The perfection
of manliness and humanity lies in self-suppression. Kiss the hand of
the man who has broken this bow {i.e., self)." Text.—\x. Ms. \Za—b.
Notes. — Panhala, ii m. S.W. of Kolhapur. Aurangzib captured it after
a siege lasting from 9th March to 28th May, 1701. {Mastr-iAlamgiri,
430 — 439, Khafi Khan., ii. 476 — 490). § 20. Prince Azam punished
for quari'elling' with the Superintendent of his harem. Bahroz Khan,
the nazir of the deorhi of Prince Muhammad Azam Shah reported to
the Emperor^ "The Prince has behaved badly towards Nur-un-nissa,
the mahaldar, so that he did not take her with himself [in his visits]
to the Imperial garden at Ahmadabad. The mahaldar sent a letter
outside [the harem to me] forbidding the Prince's journey. So, this
slave {i.e. the writer) came and stopped the riding out of the Prince,
in the absence of any order [from the Emperor]. The Prince expelled
the mahaldar from his assembly {inajlis)^ The Emperor wrote this
order: — "The inansabdarsappointed [to that province] and Khwajah
Ouli Khan, with his own troops and those of the Rajah of Narwar^
should co-operate and prevent the Prince from riding out or giving
audience, pending the arrival of order from me."
 72 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB Next day, when the Prince
got news of it, he sent a petition through his sister, Padishah Regam,
begging pardon for his offences, and enclosing an agreement to a
compromise sealed with the seals of the nazir and the mahaldar. On
the petition the Emperor wrote : — "I refrain from transferring your
mahals (z. e., jagtr). But if no pecuniary punishment is inflicted, you
will retain the audacity to do this sort of work again. Fifty thousand
rupees should be taken from the cash salary of this shortsighted,
base-minded and foolish son, into the public treasury as punishment
for this offence." Text—\x. Ms. /\a & b, Ms. N. 5« & ^. Notes. —
Prince Azam was Subahdar of Guzerat from the middle of 1701 to
September, 1705. Padishah Begam was the title of his sister Zinat-
un-nissa. § 21. Maintain peace on the highways. From the report of
the province of Ahmadabad, of which Muhammad Azam Shah was
the Governor, the Emperor learnt — " Janaji Dalia, a commander of
the enemy [z>., Marathas], had plundered some merchants on the
highway of Surat, at a place 80 miles from Ahmadabad. This matter
had become known to the Prince Shah Alijah \i.e., Azam] from the
news brought by a courier ; but he had said, 'It has occurred within
the faujdari of Amanat Khan, the collector of Surat ; I have no
concern with it '." On the sheet of the report the Emperor wrote, —
"Decrease five thousand from the real rank of the
 UNINTENTIONAL CONTEMPT OF COURT PUNISHED 73
Prince, and take from his agents money corresponding to the [loss]
reported by the merchants. If it had been an officer other than a
Prince, this order would have been issued after an inquiry. For a
Prince the punishment is the absence of investigation. Bravo for your
Princeship, that you consider yourself lower than Amanat Khan ! As
in my life-time you have a claim to inherit the empire, why then do
you not make Amanat Khan a sharer of your heritage } ( Verse) A
malady that does not go away for medicine, has no cure. A man who
has not got wisdom, does not need any thing." Text. — Ir. Ms. 22/J,
Ms. N. 26i> — 27a. jVofe. — Is Dalia a mistake for Dulway, a
Maratha family name? § 22. Unintentional contempt of " Court "
punished. One day when the Emperor was holding Court, Prince
Muhammad Azam Shah stood up and made a request. At not getting
a reply favourable to his desire, he grew angry and advanced so far
that his foot touched the Emperor's seat {inasnad). The Emperor in
displeasure dropped the screen of the Court, went away, and
forbade the Prince to come to the presence. Nobody else had the
power to intercede with him ; but Shah Salimullah, [a hermit] of
Nandurbar, said to the Emperor, " That the Prince advanced his foot
was not due to a spirit of daring, but to carelessness. Of him who
pardons and makes peace, the recompense is from God." Below the
above [Quranic] verse the Emperor wrote, — "From the bank of
safety into the sea of destruction, fell That man who set his steps
beyond his own limits."
 74 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB Texi.—lr. Ms. s^, Ms. N.
32a & i>. Note. — When the Emperor dropped a screen in front of
his seat at a darbar, it was a sign that the Court was closed. Then he
retired to the harem by a door at the back of his seat. § 23. The
Emperop's repartee. Prince Muhammad Azam Shah, owing to his
levity of character and vileness of tongue, had hkened His Majesty to
the sweeper Jumma who used to serve in the Hall of Private
Audience, and the matter had reached the Imperial ears. One day,
while Jumma was sweeping the court-yard of the Private Audience
Hall, the Emperror turned towards Azam Shah and said, " Baba ! this
sweeper has four sons." Azam Shah replied, " He has only one son,
and that too a mere child." His Majesty rejoined, " Your statement is
wrong. My information is even that one of these four sons has gone
to Persia ! " On hearing these words, the Prince understood the
point [of the Emperor's speech] and was greatly ashamed. He
complained to his sister, Zinat-un-nissa Begam, " His Majesty, utterly
disregarding the consideration and honour du e to my lady mother,
has described Jumma sweeper as my father !" The Emperor
retorted, "But, then, son! you showed no consideration and honour
to Shah Jahan, when you described his late Majesty's son as the
sweeper Jumma !"' Text.—Vx. Ms. 6rt!, Ms. N. waSc b. Note. — Only
four sons of Aurangzib were alive at this time, and one of these,
Prince Akbar, had fled to Persia after the failure of his rebellion in
1681.
 AURANGZIB KEEPS HIS SONS AT A DISTANCE 75§ 24.
Aupang-zib keeps his sons at a distance. Muhammad Azam Shah,
who was Governor of Guzerat, petitioned thus, — "On account of the
length of my iUness, which was a quartan fever for a long time —
though the disease has been totally removed for more than two
months, I am still so weak that I cannot utter words. I pray for a
transfer from this^ province to the Emperor's presence so that at all
events 1 may, after attaining the blessing of kissing the Emperor's
feet, give up my weak life." The Emperor wrote, " May the True
Protector watch over this fruit of my heart [=son] in all conditions !
To allow you to travel and come to me in this state of weakness,
would not be free from' cruelty. ( Verse) He considers remembrance
as higher than interview, Thank God ! my eyes are not ungrateful.
This weak old man and this shrunken helpless creature [Aurangzib]
is afflicted with a hundred maladiesbesides anxiety [lit., headache],
but he has made patience his habit. ( Verse) In the opinion of those
who are ready for death Every unseasonable trouble sent by fortune
appears as a suitable favour.. I have no greed for disease, otherwise
Every disease allotted to me by the Invisible is a medicine. While
talking with my wicked and reprehensible passions, I say that with
the exception of the heart, which is precious and worth protecting,
the world and everything in it deserve to be left behind. Why have
 76 ANECDOTES OF AURANGZIB you bound [yourself] to
the world and temporal things ? Your heart is to be taken [with you
to the next world], and the World and Time will have to be given up.
( Verse) Every [earthly] thing which you elevate will throw you into
the dust. Except the flow of tears, which is capable of elevating you
[to heaven]." TexL — Ms. N. loa 5 — io<5 ir. Notes. — In April,
1693, Prince Azam at Cuddapah in Madras liad a long and severe
attack of dropsy, after which he was conveye4 to the Court by order
of the Emperor, 22nd October, 1693, (MA. 353, 361 — 363, Khafi
Khan^ ii. 434). But he was not then Governor of Guzerat. Khafi
Khan, gives the following account of an application made by the
Prince in 1705-6 to come from Guzerat and visit his father : —
"Prince Muhammad Azam, in Guzerat, on hearing of his father's
illness, applied for permission to come to Comt on the plea of the air
and water of that province not being congenial to him. The Emperor
was displeased and sent him a letter to this effect : — 'I, too, had
sent a similar petition to my father Shah Jahan during his illness [at
the close of his reign], and he had replied to it by saying that the air
of every place is agreeable to men except the wind of evil passions
!'" (ii. 541). In the end the Emperor permitted Azam to come to
Court, and he arrived there on 25th March, 1706. (M.A. 496, 512).
C. Kam Bakhsh, § 25. Kam Bakhsh placed under arrest. The Emperor
learnt from the letters of the nasit and news-writer with Prince
Muhammad Kam Bakhsh, — "After the capture of fort Jinji, Nusrat
Jang Khan