INTERCEPTED LETTER FROM SHAW JEHAUN,
WRITTEN DURING THE SIEGE OF AGRA BY
AURUNGZEBE TO MAHABUT KHAN
LET the renowned in valor, of high
rank, chief of faithful dependants,
Mahabut Khan, supported and honored
by the imperial bounty—know—that
from the instability of fortune, and
the treachery of rebels,
fatal injuries have occurred to our
authority, of which, probably, he
has already heard; also of the
unworthy conduct they have
exercised, and still pursue.
My oppressed son, Dara Shikoh, since
his defeat has moved towards Lahore;
and I know not in this vain world a
faithful friend, who, regardless of
personal advantages, consults only
true honor, except yourself, the
worthy son of the great Mahabut
Khan. To you, therefore, I disclose
the sorrows of my mind, and look for
their cure.
When the Khorasaunees had
surrounded my father Jehaungeer
(now in paradise), and deprived him
of power; from what distance, and
with what rapidity, did not Mahabut
Khan hasten to relieve him from the
hands of his infernal enemies!
Having kept him some time under his
own control, he gave him renovated
power on the throne of empire, and
rescued me from the cell of
wretchedness and path of trouble,
after my father’s death, conducting
me to the capital.
The present crisis of affairs is
more difficult, and there is no
nobleman, but yourself, of
experienced conduct and valour,
worthy to be intrusted with such
important concerns. My beloved Dara
will halt at Lahore, where there is
no want of money, men, and horses.
Can it possibly happen, that Mahabut
Khan, at dread of whom mortals
tremble, while his sovereign Shah
Jehaun is in the hands of traitors,
will not fly to his relief, bring
the two undutiful rebels (his sons)
to the deserved punishment of their
actions, and rescue his master from
a prison? Surely he will feel that
virtuous fame is superior to the
treasures of Karoon, and all the
honours of an unstable world. I
expect this from you, as heroes will
thus act.
I have written to my son to trust
himself with you, as the restorer of
his fortunes, and my deliverer. This
world is unsteady, and never was
constant to any one; but a good name
will always be recorded on the pages
of time. How can it be, that Mahabut
Khan should bear to see his
sovereign in confinement? and the
wretch, who spread the snares of
treason, enjoying the throne of
empire! If it be possible that you,
so distinguished in the state,
should connive at such treachery,
remember, the day of judgment is
near, and I shall be your accuser.
-
All these acts had only one
effect. To embolden Aurangzeb to
depose of Shah Jahan since there
was no way out.
-
Dictated by circumstances beyond
his control I conclude Aurangzeb
crowned himself in the Shalimar
garden outside Delhi in haste
devoid of all Mughal customs on
the 21st of July
1658.
-
The letter below Aurangzeb wrote
to Shah Jahan in agony provides
a deep explanation for his
actions.
HIDE
AURUNGZEBE TO SHAW JEHAUN IN
CONFINEMENT AT AGRA.
AFTER offering the customary duty
and regards, I represent to the
sublime audience, that the sacred
pages, (wholly written with the
auspicious pen) which conferred
their honouring arrival by the hands
of Matimud Khaun, informed me on the
several points contained in them,
both in verse and prose. Their
contents have induced me, overcome
by shame, — though of justifying
myself I sensibly feel the
difficulty and hardship, and on
account of which I have so long
declined sending petitions, and shut
the door against rumours and hearsay
— to offer replies to the various
allegations freely and plainly, in
order that the real state of affairs
may appear, and the necessity of
writing again upon the same subjects
be done away.
It cannot be unknown to your mind,
enlightened as the sun, that I have
repeatedly represented, if your
majesty would discontinue writing
letters to excite disorders which
can have no good effect, it would be
most beneficial for the country. As
your majesty, notwithstanding your
profound wisdom and judgment,
neglecting the propriety of the
request, indignantly declared I must
not expect such concession from you,
I judged it expedient to close the
doors of contention, by ordering the
stubborn-backed eunuchs,
*
the chief promoter of trouble, to my
presence.
The verses, transcribed a second
time by your pearl-shedding pen,
*
are just, and applicable to late
events.
If your majesty had not in the
beginning of the troubles supported
the eldest prince,
*
(whose honour, ability, and piety
are perhaps by this time known also
to yourself
<>*
)
had not exalted him to the highest
rank and confidence, and, to flatter
and appease him, had not chosen to
have disgraced your other children;
parties would not have been formed
among the courtiers, or despair have
overcome hope. Most probably, in
such case, the flames of contention
would not have blazed to such a
height, nor all this calamity have
occurred. Ah me! my friend and my
garments.
*
Alas! that I should be accused of
having in my former letters written
in improper and disrespectful terms
to your majesty! God forbid, that
even an irreverent thought towards
you should enter my mind. Probably,
I may have used opprobrious epithets
when speaking of my brother; and why
should such be understood as
disrespectful to your majesty? By
what names does not your majesty
still call Khoossroo and Perweze,
who departed to the place of
non-existence long before the days
of your accession to empire, and
from whom to you no injury or
offence occurred?
*
If certain persons, whose enmity,
past all bounds, who repeatedly
opposed me in battle, heaping upon
themselves the dishonour of flight,
and the marks of whose wickedness
are not yet expunged,
*
are mentioned by me in a way
befitting their deserts, and I cease
to name them with ceremony and
respect, what crime can be
attributed to me? The favoured of
the Almighty cannot be disgraced. He
is truly great whom God, according
to his scripture, (He exalteth
whomsoever He chuseth
*
)
blesseth under his auspices,
endoweth with dignity above his
contemporaries and equals, and
having prepared for him by his sole
bounty the requisites of
distinction, rendereth him among
mortals respectful and exalted.
*
Your humble disciple hath already
repeatedly declared to your august
audience, that my object in marching
towards Agra was not rebellion, or
to depose the emperor of Islaum.
*
The Penetrator of all secrets is my
witness, that this unworthy and
unlawful idea had never glanced on
the mirror of my heart.
As, during the extreme illness of
your majesty, the reins of power had
dropped from your hands, and the
eldest prince (Dara Shikoh) , who
had not even the resemblance of a
mussulmaun,
*
having obtained arbitrary rule and
authority, exercised unlimited
controul, and revived the customs of
infidelity and atheism throughout
the empire; thinking it lawful,
politic, and just to overthrow his
designs, I advanced to these parts.
My first battle was with wicked
infidels, who had destroyed mosques,
and erected on their sites temples
to their idols.
*
The second engagement was against
the evil-acting atheists;
*
and, as my intention was virtuous,
in each, with an inferior force, I
became successful, and preserved
without a wound.
As your majesty, then regarding me
as a criminal, endeavoured that the
prince in disposition like Pharaoh,
coming again into the field, should
reillumine the countenance of
atheism, and, in such case, the
success of the treacherous would
have caused the destruction of the
subjects and the empire; I, from
necessity, relying upon justice and
truth, submitted myself to the heavy
burden of government, the care of
the people, and protection of the
venerated faith of the prophet; than
which objects, the wisest and most
virtuous agree, there can be none
more meritorious in this world, or
which can be better guides to
happiness hereafter.
*
It was written by your majesty, that
seizing the possessions of another
was contrary to religion. Surely it
cannot be unknown to your mind,
expansive as the ocean, that the
treasures of kings and rulers are
for the good of the state and
religion; not a personal property or
inheritance. From hence it is, that
the zukkaut
<>*
of such property is not given in
charity. The Most High commits them
for a time to each of the accepted
of his presence, for the support of
mankind, and resigns to such chosen
agent the reins of government; that
dealing with all according to the
rules of justice, and regarding the
rights of claimants with fairness
and integrity, he may consider
himself merely as a trustee for the
public good. Perhaps, the learned
of this age, from fear or flattery,
may not have informed your majesty,
that no one can claim the public
treasure as his sole property.
To conclude; as it is certain, that
no occurrence issues from the
concealment of secresy without a
divine decree, (which truth is
evident to all) what cause is there
that this important event,
*
which certainly was by the will of
God, and in which the force and
power of individuals had no concern,
should be to me matter of obloquy
and reproach? It is clear that it
could not have happened without the
command of the Ruler of the
Universe, and the agency of
Providence was appointed for me,
its forced and hesitating servant.
Your majesty is superior to all in
wisdom and penetration; why then,
disregarding the source of these
providential events and divine
occurrences, do you look for other
causes? Why, submitting yourself to
the acts of the Almighty, of whose
power this declaration, “God will do
what pleaseth him, and command what
he willeth,”
*
is a striking testimony, do you not
quit this unavailing path of
complaint, full of danger,
*
that sorrow and mourning may give
place to ease and satisfaction;
resignation and patience be not
lost; or your situation, which
cannot be altered, pass away in vain
imaginations. Your well known
forbearance must be my apologist for
this prolixity.
HIDE
