Indian Antiquary Vol 40

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 75

MARCE, 1911.]
THE EMPEROR AURANGZEB ALAMGIR
THE EMPEROR AURANGZEB ALAMGIR, 1618-1707.
BY WILLIAM IRVINE.
The following article was written for the Encyclopædia of Islam but was found too long and detailed for that work. As it is based on a fresh examination of original authorities, it seems worth preserving. The table of the initial days for each regnal year will be found especially useful.]
Aurangzēb (1618-1707), the third son of the emperor Shahjahan by Ardjmand Banu Begam, Mumtaz Mahal, danghter of the Persian immigrant Aşaf Khan, Yamin-ud-danla, was born at Dhod (usually converted into Dühad), on the 15th Zu'l-Qa'da 1027 H. (Nov. 3rd 1618) N. S., in the camp of his grandfather Jahangir, then on his way from Ahmadābād (Gujarāt) to Ujjain in Mālwah. It was his fate to be born and die in a camp, and to pass many years of his life in one.
I.-From Birth to Accession, 1818-1858. In 1029 H. (Dec. 1619), Prince Khurram (Shāhjahān) was sent from Kashmir to command in the Dakhin against Malik Ambar, Habsbi, the minister and virtual ruler of the Ahmadnagar kingdom; and he appears to have taken bis family with him. In 1031 H. (Nov. 1621 to Nov. 1622), Shāh 'Abbüs of Persia occupied Qandahar. Immediately Shahjahan was summoned to court, but when he reached Mändū in Malwa, he halted for the rainy season. At this time an occasion of quarrel with his father had arisen over Dholpur, south of Agra, which had been newly granted to the prince in place of his youngest brother, Shabriyar. The local agents of the two princes fought each other, and bitterness arose between the brothers. Nurjalan, queen of Jahangir who had omplete control over her husband, advocated the claim to these 'jayirs of her son-in-law, prince Shahriyar. She also prevailed on the emperor to substitute Shahryar as general in the Qandahăr ampaign in place of Shahjahan, from whose advancement she feared disadvantage to herself, it ahāngir were to die. Shūbjaban was ordered to retrace his steps to the Dakhin. He remonstratd warmly, and pressed for leave to come to conrt to state his own case. A hearing was refused to him. He then, 1032 H. (1623), crossed the Narbadā at Akbarpur ferry, burnt the boats, occupied the fortress Asir, and went on to Burhānpur. At court, these acts were treated as rebellion. An imperial force, under prince Parwez and Mabābat Khan, which was sent to deal with him, succeeded ? : crossing the Narbada, and on the defection of Khān Khanan, the chief supporter of Shahjahan, that prince sought refuge at the Qutl Shāhi court in Gulkandsh. After a short stay, be marched via Orissa into Bengal, 1033 H. (1623), where he met with some success. Moving on westwards to 'ațnah, he captured the strong bill fortress of Rohtas, and sent officers to hold Allahābād and ludh. As he and his army were dependent on boats for their supplies, the desertion of the boatmen riduced Shāhjahān's army to extremities, and he soon had no more than 10,000 men under his standard. The imperialists, who were still in pursuit, now inflicted a crushing defeat on him and captured his camp and baggage. After despatching his harem, including a newly-born infant, Murād Bakhsh, to Rabtās, Shābjaban beat a hasty retreat to the Dakhin, accompanied by Mumtaz Mahal 1034 H. (1624-5). On the failure of his attempt to take Burbānpur, he retired southwards into the territory of the Ahmadnagar kings, 1035 H. (1625-6), making his home at Junnar.
Finally, Shāhjahän made some overtures to his father and was told that if he evacuated Asir and Rubtas, and sent bis sons, Diri Shukob and Aurangzgb, to court, his request would be considered. The two princes were sent to their grandfather and were kindly received. On the emperor's death, 28th Safar 1037 H. (Nov. 8th 1627), their maternal grandfather, Aşaf Khin removed them from the charge of Nür Jahān.