Prince Muhammad Azam Shah, owing to his levity
of character and vileness of tongue, had likened His
Majesty to the sweeper Jama who used to serve in
the Hall of Private Audience, and the matter had
reached the imperial ears. One day, while Jama was
sweeping the courtyard of the Private Audience Hall,
the Emperor 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
away 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-
Text.–Ir. MS. 6a, MS. N. 11a & 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.