Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/50

44 Singh, and resolved to wipe out the disgrace by a victory which should glorify his own name. He wanted no one to share his coming triumph. He would not even wait for his son Sulaimán Shukóh and the victorious army of Bengal, lest he should find an ambitious partner in his exploit. He longed for a personal glory such as the mighty Rameses recorded in the proud inscription which we read on the pylons of Karnak: 'The princes and captains joined not hands with me in fight. By Myself have I done battle. I have put to flight thousands of the nations: and I was alone!'  But there were other and better reasons for Dárá's precipitate attack. The enemy were exhausted by long marches; they had not then crossed the Chambal; and the imperial army was more than strong enough to crush the jaded invaders as they struggled across a rapid ford. Moreover, every day's delay was an encouragement to the enemy, and an opportunity for Sháh-Jahán to exercise his fatal bent for diplomacy. If the blow wore not struck now, it might never be struck at all.

The Emperor was too weak to resist his son's eager importunity. He let him go, with tears. Had he forbidden, it would have boon useless, for the troops were under Dárá's orders, and know his violent temper too well to disobey him. The lowest calculation places his army at 100,000 horse, 20,000 foot, and 80 guns; but the unpopularity of their headstrong commander, and the growing belief in the Puritan's fortune, bred traitors in the camp. Aurangzíb openly