Meanwhile my cart-driver turned up ; he came running in great haste from the halting-place. As soon as he got near me I fell upon him in a great rage and gave him a sound beating. I knew not the favour that had been accorded me by Divine Providence, which in sui disposition* non falitur, and even does us the most benefit when it seems the most against us. I started on my road, and the cart-man wanted to hurry, fancying that he could catch up the rest of the party, who were two hours ahead of us, and thereby enter into my good graces again. But I assured him we could never overtake them, anyhow, could not reach the sarae. He had better drive on at a moderate pace. Still displeased with the cart-man, I inquired why he had been so heedless, knowing the perils existing on the road. He replied that, overcome by his necessities, he had gone some distance from the town, and then there had come on him heavy sleep, so that he had been unable to wake sooner; this was the cause of his delay.
During this conversation we had entered into a
;6 A LUCKY ESCAPE
wood, through which we had to pass. When within it I beheld with terror the greater number of our party heaped together, either decapitated or wounded, and all plundered and ruined ; the few who survived were stripped naked. The cart-man, frightened to death at the spectacle, wanted to drive off with his cart across the jungle without attending the dead and wounded lying on the road. I told him to go slowly, that there was nothing to be afraid of, for the danger had passed (although I was a good deal frightened myself). I found one poor creature lying in the middle of the road with a spear thrust through him, who, raising his hands to heaven, prayed me to help him. Taking compassion on him, I stretched forth my hand to lift him into my cart, whereupon the driver pricked up his bullocks, and did not give me the chance of doing this deed of charity.
We went on our way, and coming forth from the wood, I noticed that the inhabitants of the village where we were to put up appeared before us. Aware of the great mishap that had occurred, when, in spite of all that, they saw a cart appear quietly from such a perilous spot, they were in the greatest amazement, and questioned me as to how I had saved my life. Then I replied that God knew how to deliver poor men from the hands of scoundrels. I continued my journey, always in the fear of thieves, until I reached the river called Bear (Biyas or Biah), where I found an officer, Dautcan (Da,ud Khan), who, quitting Sulaiman Shukoh, had come to join Dara through jungle and desert by a very difficult route, where he had been in fear of his life. This he did for the. love he bore him (Dara). The latter had entrusted him with sufficient artillery, cavalry, and infantry to bar the passage of the river to Aurangzeb.
I presented myself to him (Da,ud Khan), and as he recognised me he treated me with much honour, and granted me a passport for my onward journey. Without such no one could go on to the city of Lahor.
There I arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon, when Prince Dara was actually seated giving audience. Quitting the cart, I threw my small wallet across my shoulder, and taking in my hands my bow and seven arrows, I entered the palace. When my commander Barcandas Can (Barqandaz Khan) saw me, he advanced to greet me; and after embracing me with great affection, he led me joyfully to the presence of the prince just as I was. There I performed the usual obeisances, and he (Dara) with exceeding gladness exclaimed in a loud voice : " Xabas ! xabas! " (Shabash ! slidbash /)—that is to say, " Bravo ! bravo!" His eyes brimming over with tears, he turned to his officers and said in a troubled tone: "See, you others, the fidelity of this European Farangi lad, who, although neither of my religion nor of my race, nor for long an eater of my salt, having only entered my service when these wars began, came after me with such loyalty through the midst of such dangers; while those maintained by me for so long, and getting immense payments, with base ingratitude and utter disloyalty abandoned me when I had need of them, just as you others have seen."
After this speech Dara asked if other European Farangis accompanied me. To this I answered that the hardships of the road hindered many from coming, but as they found a chance they would come. Dara ordered a horse to be given to me, which was at once brought. Not liking the look of it, he directed them to give me another and better one. He increased my pay, making it, in place of eighty rupees, one hundred and fifty rupees every month. An order was issued for a present to me of five hundred rupees with a 11 serpao " (sarapa). I put up at a house where several of my European friends were staying—they had got away from Agrah before it was invested—and with them I dwelt.
Aware that Aurangzeb was drawing nearer and nearer, and distrusting his officers, having a force
78 DEPARTURE OF DARA FOR MULTAN
insufficient for resistance, Dara sent an order to withdraw the few men and guns posted at the river-crossing. He directed his powder-magazine to be blown up, which was speedily done. He then left Lahor in the end of October one thousand six hundred and fifty-six (correctly 1658). He took with him the whole of his family, and at the head of eight thousand horsemen started for the city of Moltan (Multan), which lies on the bank of the River Ravi, the same river as at Lahor. The distance of that city (Multan) from Lahor is ten days' journey.
I made up my mind not to march along with Dara, owing to some business, but to leave on the third day. During the second day I passed before the door of the officer second in command of the artillery, a Turk by race, called Rumican (Rumf Khan), who was busy in the preparations and the enlistment of men; he had also some field-pieces, which he meant to take with him. As soon as he saw me he called me, and as I got near ordered me to dismount at once. He asked me where I was off to, and I answered that I was on my way to make preparations to start for the army. He told me to sit down, and said he also was starting that day; he would send to fetch my baggage, and I could go with him. I was suspicious, believing that he distrusted me, and I concluded that it would not suit me to march with* him; for then it could be said that he had brought me by force, which would be to my discredit. So I answered him by praying his leave to go to my house to collect some cash and pay my debts, and put together my things; after that I would come back and join him. But the obstinate Turk would not listen to me nor give me leave, so it came to my deciding absolutely to kill him, if he would not allow me to go. For it was not right for me to be made to march by force. I was in Dara's service, had a good reputation, and wished to rejoin without the slightest delay. Thus I told him that the favours I had received from Dara left me
under such an obligation that I would sooner lose my life than miss an occasion to prove my gratitude to my king. For Dara I would sacrifice my person; and if he did not believe me, let him send twenty horsemen with me to my house, which was close by. I would then come back with them. Thus I spoke to him, having absolutely the intention of killing him, although I should lose my own life, it he refused. But God was good to me! For the Turk accepted this my ultimatum, and sent with me twenty horsemen with express orders to bring me back to his presence.
I got on my horse highly delighted, and went faster and faster, paying no heed to their telling me to go slowly. They urged on their horses to overtake me. This irritated me, so I turned in my seat with an angry face, and laying hold of my sword, so threatened them that they were afraid and drew back. They contented themselves by following me at a distance until I went in with a rush into the house of a friend, leaving the escort at the door. Directly I had got inside I seized a musket that was standing in a corner, and then went for them, discharging the piece to frighten them. Next, laying hold of my sword, I shouted : " Strike, strike!" though without much hope of success. But they, supposing that there were a number of us, scattered in all directions.
After the flight of these horsemen, I told my friend to get upon his horse and come along with me. For when the news should reach that officer, he would send a great many soldiers and capture us if we stayed. He would not listen, and leaving him in his house, I mounted on horseback and went outside the city until night came on. Then I came home peacefully. My poor friend had been carried off against his will, a
s I had prophesied. Next morning I removed such chattels as I could carry with me to the house of another friend. When I was about to bind my bundle on my horse's back, meaning to start
So MANUCCI FOLLOWS DARA
on my journey to rejoin the army and Prince Dara, there appeared one of the officers set over the kotwdfs pioens (policemen), who was very drunk. This man had complete control over that officer of justice (the kotwat). He began to abuse me, and with harsh words ran down Dara's followers. I dissembled and made use of all my patience, which conquers everything, chiefly because I saw that there would soon be a change in the government of the city through the departure of Dara.
Rendered still more impertinent by my apparent quietude and patience, the officer went on with his insolence. In time he exhausted my patience, and in a rage I picked up a stone, and hurling it with the greatest force, hit him in the mouth, cutting his lips, and sending two teeth down his throat. He fell to the ground and spoke no more. I resumed the tying on of my bundle, and before I mounted gave the fellow several kicks, owing to the rage I was in.
Taking to my horse, I set out on my way, unaware that the man's servant had gone to tell his men. Having gone only a few paces, I perceived some thirty foot soldiers, all armed, coming hastily in search of me to take vengeance for the affront done to their officer. I wanted to turn back simply that I might rid myself of them. Then I reflected that I should only light upon others lying in wait for me. Fixing my turban more firmly, angry and resolute, sword in hand, I spurred my horse, on which I relied a good deal. I flung myself into their midst, and they, seeing my anger and resolve, were not bold enough to attack me, only having enough presence of mind to salute me and leave me a free passage. They followed me afar off*, relying upon others who had been sent in pursuit. To these it happened as to the first lot, and they all followed me up to my issuing from the city. I then got rid of them and went on my way.
After three days I arrived in the army of Dara, where I found the officer who had tried to carry me
off by force from Labor. I told him I had come to lay a complaint against him before Dara. He had been the cause of other Europeans not accompanying me, who subsequently had decided to remain where they were owing to the bad way he had treated me. The Turk, on hearing this, embraced me with the greatest submissiveness, and begged me to suppress my grievance for the sake of his good name.
We continued our marches until the early days of November, when we arrived at Multan, an ancient city where in old days, before the Portuguese were masters of the Eastern seas, there came many cafillas (qdftlah} of merchandise and spices and drugs of India. With us marched the great Da,ud Khan, who, spurred by the loyalty and affection that he had to Dara, would not abandon him, offering him through others to serve him faithfully, as he had done for many years. But Dara did not trust him, led astray by the forged letters that Aurangzeb continued to write.
To impose on the people of Multan, Dara made believe that he intended to stop in that city and enlist troops. He began to repair the houses in which formerly Aurangzeb lived when he governed that territory. He ordered them to send for the relations of a false prophet, then deceased, called Coia Bahaudim (Khwajah Baha-ud-dm)—that is to say, " Price of the Law"—one greatly venerated by the Mahomedans, who is buried in the middle of the city in a great dome covered with blue tiles, an ancient building. He earnestly entreated them to intercede for him with Muhammad that he might favour him and give him the victory over Aurangzeb. They gave him their word that without fail they would supplicate Muhammad ; he might rest assured that his petitions would be considered, being as they were so just. During the following night they would so arrange that they should precede everyone and be the first to receive audience from Muhammad, and thus comply with his Highness's desire.
82 DARA LEAVES MULTAN FOR BHAKKAR
The following day, very early, Dara took care to have them called so as to know the result of their prayers. They appeared, as this sort of knave knows so well how to do, with downcast faces, and told him that all night long they had been in the presence of Muhammad, but were unable to speak to him, because Aurangzeb was in conversation with him. But without fail they would the following night find an opening for his petitions. In order to gratify them, and bind them still more to his interests, Dara made them a present of twenty-five thousand rupees and a covering of costly stuff to be spread on the tomb of the false prophet (i.e. Baha-ud-din). But on their being sent for again the next morning, they came with the same answer, and it was the same on the third day.
When Dara was informed that Aurangzeb had left Lahor in pursuit, he lost faith in his prophets and held it best to withdraw from Multan. For this purpose he gave orders that all the boats, five hundred and seven in number, should be made ready for a voyage towards the fortress of Bhakkar. They were loaded with supplies of food requisite for a beleaguered citadel; they also put on board eight cannon carrying shot of from sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds' weight, besides light artillery, ammunition, and the necessary materiel of war. Each boat carried, more or less, a hundred tons of cargo.
While Dara was thus preparing to resume his march, Aurangzeb was coming after him by long marches, moving on day and night without halting, at the head of the finest part of his army. These were enough to overcome the small force still attached to Dara. Aurangzeb had left behind the rest of his army with orders to follow. Finding that he was pursued, Dara was compelled to move. He ordered the boats to be started down the river, putting in command of them a valiant eunuch, Coia Vacent (Khwajah Basant)—that is to say, " Springtime." The prince left by the land
route at the head of five thousand horsemen and five thousand infantry. Dara's favoured general, Barqandaz Khan, went with him; most of the others deserted, as did those that he had taken on at Multan, carrying off the large sums of pay that he had disbursed to them.
Much to be marvelled at was the obstinate fidelity of Da,ud Khan. Keeping at a little distance from our troops, he continued to follow. He sent a clear message to Dara that he might trust him ; he wanted to accompany him whenever the occasion arose, and with his blood would seal the testimony of his loyalty. The prince should accept his advice, and not believe in the forged letters that had fallen into his hands. But Dara, more and more suspicious, sent word to him that, if he were true to him, let him cease to follow him and go his own way. By this time Da,ud Khan saw that it was of no use to try to remain with his well-beloved prince, and sent an answer that he would obey orders on the condition that his dismissal was by writing.
It was not long before Dara made over to him a paper in which it was stated : " I, Dara, discharge Da,ud Khan, and command him to withdraw from my army, and accord him liberty to serve whom he pleases." What things may not be worked by a falsehood when accepted as true by a prince! Without reflecting on the evil that might accrue to him, the prince persisted in the unjust impression made upon him. Da,ud Khan received this writing at the city of Vehu (Ochu, perhaps Dchh). Weeping like a child, so that it was pitiful to see him, he exclaimed: " It seems to me as if evil fortune dogged the steps of Dara"; and therewith he departed.
Learning the news, Aurangzeb, when he arrived at the city of Multan, detached a force in pursuit of Dara, with orders to capture him if they could ; they were to pursue him wherever he went. Then he sent an
84 ARRIVAL AT THE FORTRESS OF BHAKKAR
affectionate letter to Da,ud Khan, tempting him with very high pay—an offer which was accepted on condition that he should not be ordered to take up arms against Dara. This Aurangzeb accorded, and treated him with great consideration, and in that reign he held high appointments.
We continued our marches, suffering somewhat from failure of supplies, and several times from want of water. We passed through several rough woods, and arrived opposite the fortress of Bhakkar in the middle of the treacherous river of Sind, thus called after the union at this place, distant one hundred and thirty leagues from Multan city, of seven large rivers, which farther on
I will tell you about. There we found the valiant eunuch Primavera occupied in the disembarkation of the big guns and the other munitions for the said fortress. At this time Dara received word that Aurangzeb's troops, commanded by Bahadur Khan, sent in pursuit of us, had already arrived quite near. He saw that he could not resist such a strong force; he therefore ordered, with all possible haste, two thousand selected men—Pathans, Sayyids, Mughals, Rajputs—twenty-two Europeans of different nationalities, and other servants to occupy the said fortress. The command was given to the eunuch Primavera. The remainder of the army was ordered to cross with the same haste to the other side of the river, and seize all the boats to be found there, in order to hinder the enemy's crossing at that point.
When I knew of this order I presented myself before Dara, and urgently besought him to take me along with him. With words of exceeding love and tenderness, he replied that he longed to take every one of us with him; but it was of the greatest importance to him to make sure of the said stronghold, and for this reason he left us in it, having such great reliance upon our valour and fidelity. I renewed my application, with protestations and entreaties added to tears, indications of the grief I felt at our separation, asking
him to leave all the rest behind and take me along with him. Dara, with a pleased face, repeated that it was desirable that we should all remain in the fortress, seeing that the place was of the greatest use to him against his enemies, that in it were goods which he held as dear as his own person ; and, using other words of much affection, he sent me off.
I was overcome with tears and sighs at this parting, and, seeing the downcast state in which I was quitting the presence, he called me back. He then made me captain of the Europeans, and ordered them to give me five thousand rupees to divide among my men, and doubled my pay. It had been one hundred and fifty, and he made it three hundred rupees. He gave me his word that if God made him king he would create me a noble of his court, and reward my men, in whose loyalty he had much confidence. He added the present of a " serpao " (serapa], and directed that I should receive a boat-load of Persian and Kabul wine. He recommended me earnestly to Primavera the eunuch, and told him to look well after me and my men. After shedding more tears, I left, and went into the fortress with the eunuch, while Dara departed thence, taking all the boats. Hardly had he gone when we heard the drums of the enemy, and the report came in how Aurangzeb had left Multan for the Agrah direction in the greatest haste, in the fear that Sulaiman Shukoh might come down from the mountains of Srinagar.
A Pepys of Mongul India (1653-1708) Page 9