[vol. ii. p. 7.] It was learned from the news-letters (akhbár) of Ahmadábád that Prince Muhammad Murád Bakhsh had struck coin and caused the khutba to be read in his name. He had also sent Khwája Sháhbáz, a eunuch, with an army and necessary siege train for the reduction of the fort of Surat, and the occupation of the port. Khwája Sháhbáz, on reaching Surat, invested the place, and after driving mines and blowing up bastions and forts, he reduced the fortress. Then he called together the merchants of the place, and demanded from them a contribution of fifteen lacs of rupees. After much parley, the chiefs of the merchants agreed to pay six lacs of rupees on behalf of their body, and took a bond for the money under the seal of Muhammad Murád Bakhsh, and the bail of Khwája Sháhbáz. * * * *
[vol. ii. p. 9.] About this time Mír Jumla arrived, who had been sent by Sháh Jahán before his illness to support Aurangzeb, and he acted as a trusted friend and faithful counsellor. But Aurangzeb deemed it expedient, in order to avoid reproach, to leave Mír Jumla as a prisoner at Daulatábád, while he himself marched against his enemies. As a matter of prudence and expediency, Aurangzeb wrote repeatedly and in the most affectionate terms to Muhammand Murád Bakhsh, and offered him his congratulations. In his letters he said, “I have not the slightest liking for or wish to take any part in the government of this deceitful and unstable world, my only desire is that I may make the pilgrimage to the temple of God. But whatever course you have resolved upon in opposition to the good-for-nothing and unjust conduct of our disgraceful brother (birádar-i be-shukoh), you may consider me your sincere friend and ally. Our revered father is still alive, and I think that we two brothers should devote ourselves to his service, and to the punishment of the wilfulness of that haughty one and the presumption and conceit of that apostate. If it be possible, and we are permitted to see our father again, after exerting ourselves to put down that strife and insurrection, we will entreat the King to forgive the faults of our brother, who has involuntarily been impelled to such a course of action. After setting the government in order, and punishing the enemies of the State, our brother must be reclaimed, and he must go to pay a visit to the holy temple. It is important that you should allow of no delay in your movements, but should march at once to chastise that presumptuous infidel Jaswant Singh. You must consider me as having arrived on your side of the Nerbadda, and must look upon my numerous army and powerful artillery as the means of securing your victory. You must know that I make the Word of God my bail for this treaty and compact, and you must by all means banish suspicion from your mind.”
Aurangzeb arrived in Burhánpúr on the 25th Jumáda-l awwal, (1068 A.H., 19th February, 1658 A.D.), * * and remained there a month attending to necessary arrangements, and obtaining accurate intelligence. On the 25th Jumáda-l ákhir he set out on his march to the capital. * * Jaswant Singh knew nothing of the approach of the great army of the two brothers until they came within seven kos of Ujjain, when Rája Sheoráj, commandant of Mándú, obtained information of their having crossed at the ford of Akbarpúr, and wrote the particulars to the Mahárája. Kásim Khán, on hearing that Prince Murád Bakhsh had left Ahmadábád, went forth in haste to welcome him. But when he learnt that the Prince had gone eighteen kos out of the way to meet Aurangzeb, he turned back disappointed. Dárá Shukoh's men, who were in the fortress of Dhár, when they beheld the irresistible forces of the two brothers, took to flight and joined the Mahárája.
Rája Jaswant Singh, with Kásim Khán, on the approach of Prince Aurangzeb, advanced a march to meet him, and pitched his camp at the distance of one kos and a half. Aurangzeb then sent a Bráhman called Kab, who had a great reputation as a Hindí poet and master of language, to the Rája with this message: “My desire is to visit my father.* I have no desire for war. It is therefore desirable that you should either accompany me, or keep away from my route, so that no conflict may arise, or blood be shed.” The Rája did not acquiesce in this proposition, and sent an impertinent answer. Next day both sides prepared for battle. * * * On the 22nd Rajab, 1068 A.H. (20th April, 1658 A.D.), the battle was joined.* * * * Every minute the dark ranks of the infidel Rájpúts were dispersed by the prowess of the followers of Islám. Dismay and great fear fell upon the heart of Jaswant, their leader, and he, far from acting like one of the renowned class of rájas, turned his back upon the battle, and was content to bring upon himself everlasting infamy. * * Kásim Khán also, with other Imperial officers and the forces of Dárá Shukoh, took to flight. Shouts of victory arose from the men of Aurangzeb, and all the artillery, elephants, treasure, camels, baggage, animals, and equipments of the enemy, after being rifled and plundered, came into the possession of Aurangzeb. * * On the 27th Rajab the Prince marched from the borders of Ujjain, and on the 28th pitched his camp in the territories of Gwálior, * * and on the 1st of Ramazán crossed the Chambal.
[vol. ii. p. 20.] The hot climate of Ágra did not agree with the Emperor, and as he had only slightly improved in health, he set off for Dehlí. Dárá Shukoh from the first disapproved of this removal, and spoke against it. Now when he had heard of the defeat of Rája Jaswant Singh, he was bewildered, and so worried his father with complaints and importunities, that he prevailed upon him to return. With the greatest urgency he made preparations for the coming conflict, and began his march with all the great nobles of his father's suite, with the old and newly raised followers of his own amounting to about 60,000 men, and with a strong train of artillery. * * It is said that the Emperor repeatedly forbad the march of Dárá Shukoh, and said that nothing would come of it but further strife and contention between the brothers. He conceived the idea of setting out himself to expostulate with the two brothers, and bring about a peace, and gave orders that preparations should be made for his journey. But Dárá Shukoh was averse to this, and being supported in his representations by Khán-Jahán Sháyista Khán, he diverted his father from his purpose. It is also recorded that before the news arrived of Rája Jaswant's defeat, and before the two armies of the Dakhin and Ahmadábád had united, the Emperor desired to go towards them, and frequently consulted Khán-Jahán about it. Khán-Jahán was maternal uncle of Aurangzeb, and was well disposed towards him. He did not approve of the Emperor's design, but spoke of the excellent character and intelligence of Aurangzeb out of the hearty kindness he felt for him. When the intelligence arrived of the defeat of Rája Jaswant Singh, the Emperor was very angry with Khán-Jahán for the part he had taken. He struck him on the breast with his staff, and refused to see him for some two or three days. But his old feeling of kindness revived. He again consulted him about going forth to meet his sons; but the Khán gave the same advice as before, so that, notwithstanding the preparations, the intended journey ended in nothing.