THE following are translated from a very numerous Collection of the Letters of the Emperor AURUNGZEBE, in three volumes, now in my possession, entitled ADAUB AULUMGEEREE, or, COMPLIMENTARY EPISTLES of AULUMGEER,* and were preserved by his Meer Moonshi, or principal Persian Secretary. They fully display the artful character of that emperor; who, under the cloak of zeal for religion, made his way to the throne of Hindoostan, by the deposition and imprisonment of his father SHAW JEHAUN, the execution of two of his brothers, and expulsion of a third.
It is probable, that success impressed his mind, as it has done those of fanatics in every part of the world, with a belief that he was peculiarly favoured by heaven. His zeal, however, at length impelling him to act towards the Hindoos with the severity authorized by the koraun against unbelievers in the Mahummedan faith, drove them to desperation. Hence arose the combination of Mharatta states, and the downfal of the once illustrious family of TIMOUR, which began at the close of his reign, and was very rapidly completed.*