Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/57

Rh to the side of the rising man. It was an instructive and lamentable sight to behold them trooping to the new colours, totally unmindful of the old Emperor, who with all his senile faults had been a kind and generous master. Among those who offered Aurangzíb their services was his uncle, the Khán-Jahán Sháyista Khán, son of the late minister Ásaf Khán, and brother of the Queen Mumtáz-Mahall. He had already used his great influence with the Emperor on behalf of his successful nephew, and Sháh-Jahán was persuaded to mingle paternal reproof with conciliatory overtures. He sent his triumphant son a sword engraved with the auspicious name  'Álamgír, 'world-compeller.' The Rája Jai Singh, who commanded the army which had successfully repulsed Shujá' in Bengal, was quickly advised of Dárá's fall, and gave in his adhesion to the coming man. The Mahárája Jaswant Singh, burying the hatchet, presently followed his example, and tendered his fealty to the new power.

Fortified by these signs of support, Aurangzíb turned his attention to his most dangerous rival, the still popular Sháh-Jahán. Dárá had already fled with a few hundred followers, and his father had sent money and 5000 horsemen to assist him. It was evident that the Emperor's sympathies were with his vanquished son, whatever he may have written in the futile hope of throwing dust in the eyes of the very clear-sighted victor. Aurangzíb was not deceived; he had taken his father's measure with great accuracy, and never intended to give him an-