Storia do Mogor : or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine.

Storia do Mogor, or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine.

  • Manucci, Niccolò, 1639-approximately 1717.
Date:
1907-08
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Storia do Mogor, or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    against the wish of his father. If some day he had need himself of aid and favour, he hoped assistance would not be refused. The poor fugitive was removed a prisoner to Delhi, where they arrived with him at night. Upon receipt of the report, Aurangzeb ordered him to be locked up in the fortress of SalTmgarh. The next day he ordered the fetters to be taken off his legs, and had him brought into his presence, leaving the brass manacles on his wrists, which many imagined to be of gold. His object was to make sure that it was the real son of Darà, also because he had been told that this prince was endowed in every part with the good gifts of Nature, The tyrant gloated over the sight, this being the last thorn that could prick him ; all the rest were either already dead or languishing in prison. The unfortunate Sulaiman Shukoh began to weep, beseeching that his life might be spared. Let the king not forget that he was of his blood. But the heart of Aurangzeb was not so compassionate as to be moved by tears. He inquired from the nobles if of a truth this was Sulaiman Shukoh, and all replied that there was not the least doubt. Then he ordered him to be removed to the fortress of Gwa- liyar, there to be given opium-water to drink, as had been done to Murad Bakhsh and Sultan Muhammad. One month after his arrival an order was sent to kill him by poison, and he was buried within the said fortress. This poor prince was the eldest son of Prince Darà [277], and endowed with all the gifts of Nature. He was the person who obtained the first victory over Prince Shàh Shujàfi But adverse Fate, joined to the plottings and devices of Aurangzeb, forced him to retire into the hills. There he suffered much in wandering amongst those rough, stony, and impassable mountains, travelling on foot or sometimes upon goats {cahvas),^ as is the custom there. Many a time he had to traverse dangerous ravines from one hill to another at the risk of his life, in baskets pulled across by ropes. For several days he had to support himself on wild roots and fruits in default of other food. Then when he believed he was in surety, he was uselessly given over to the ^ Presumably theis intended.