Page:History of Aurangzib (based on original sources) Vol 1.djvu/377

CHAP. XIV.] they learnt the truth about Shah Jahan's critical condition and the hostility between Dara and his brothers. Aurangzib himself was growing more and more anxious at having got no fresh letter from Delhi for several days past. Was. his father dead? If so, he must make an attempt for the throne without further loss of time.

So, he provided for the future with his usual foresight and wisdom. Bidar Fort was repaired, the ravages of the late siege restored, its artillery properly arranged, and the necessary provisions and munitions stored. A garrison of 5,500 under Mir Jafar was left here. At this time Aurangzib wrote to Murad a letter which merely said, "You have not written to me for a long time past.... I shall soon return to Aurangabad. You must have heard the news about the Imperial Court." But his real message, pro- posing an offensive and defensive alliance between the two brothers against Dara, was orally entrusted to Allah Yar, the confidential messenger who carried the letter to Murad. He also wrote similar letters to Shuja in Bengal. A communication received from Delhi on the 17th, after a