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 CiiAi'. TV] REIGN OF SHAH JEHAN. 281

necessary to observe that these regulations for the suppression of private trade ad. 1627. proved unavailing ; and that the abuse, instead of being suppressed, kept pace with the progress, and, in not a few instances, seriously damaged the interests and even brought a stigma on the character of the Company.

Scarcely had these arranorements been completed when Cromwell was called neathof

•^ ° '■, Cromwell.

to his final account. This event, which took place in 1658, was attended with so many important changes, that all great interests, commercial as well as political, were more or less seriously affected by it. Having thus arrived at what may be considered a new era in the history of the Company, it will be proper, before continuing it, to bring up the history of the Mogul empire from the termination of the reign of Jehangu- in 1627.

CHAPTER lY.

Reign of Sliah Jelian — His deposition by Aurungzebe — Rise and progress of the ^lahrattas — Reign of

Aurungzebe.

EVERAL years before the death of Jehangir, the succession to his Competition throne was keenly contested by different members of his family, girs aucces- Khosroo, the eldest son, who had been the favourite of his grand- father Akber, failed in an attempt to seize the crown when Akber SSS died, and was in consequence subjected during the remainder of hi.s liic to a rigorous imprisonment. Parviz, the second son, naturally looked forward to the succession ; and was confirmed in the belief that it was intended for him, when his father intrusted him with the nominal command in the Deccan, where a great contest for supremacy was waged between the Mahome- tans and Hindoos. He proved unequal to the task assigned him, and was ultimately superseded by the third son, Khurram, whose abilities were of a superior order, and whose military fame had been established by a successful campaign in Mewar. These alone would not have sufficed had he not also enjoyed the favour of Nur Jehan, who had established a com])lete ascendency over her husband Jehangir, and virtually governed in his name. Under this influence Khurraui, invested with ample powei*s, and bearing the title of king, which amounted to a recognition of him as heir api)arent, proceeded to the Deccan. Here the first object was to recover those territories which had throwTi off allegiance to the Mogul, and more especially the kingdom of Ahmednuggm-, which, owing to the gi'eat abilities of an Abyssinian, named Mulhk Amber, prime minister to the king. Nizam Shah, had successfully resisted all attempts to subdue it. Khurram was again successful ; and, in return for his success, was Vol. I. 86