Book II Travels ///India. i i 5> 



to pur another interpretation upon them. But the main thing was, that the Raja 

 fejfomfemg who had betraid Dara-Cba, wrote privately to Nach-Ram, that it was 

 for the fafcty of his Perfbn and Dominions, to fubmit to Aureng-z^eb ■, and to fur- 

 render his kinfman up into his hands. This advice of fejfomfeing put him to a very 

 great plunge 5 dreading on the one fide the breach of his oath ; on the other, 

 the revolt of his people. Uncertain what courfe to take, he confults the Bra* 

 mins, who gave their opinions that it was his duty rather to preferve his People 

 and his Laws, which would be both deftroid, fhould they fall into the hands Of 

 Aureng-^cb, than to keep his Faith with a Prince from whom he could never ex- 

 pert any advantage. Thele confutations being kept private from Soliman Cbe- 

 kour, his mine was concluded upon, while he thought himfelf moft feeure. There- 

 upon Nac~tl-R.\ni, with a Salvo, as he thought, to his Honour and his Confcience, 

 return d for anfwer to fcjf'omfcmg, that he could not confent to betray the Prince ; 

 but that Aureng-z.cb might take his opportunity to feize his perfbn., yet preferve 

 his reputation too : in regard that Soliman Cbekour was wont to go a Hunting up- 

 on certain Mountains in his Countrey with a (mall retinue, and that it wouM 

 be an eafy thing for him to fend a number of Souldiers fufficient to apprehend 

 him. 



So foon as "fejfomfeing had receiv'd this anfwer, he gave order to his Son to fee 

 the bufinefs efterted as the plot was laid. So that Soliman Cbekour one day going 

 a Hunting to the ufual place, was fnapt by a itrong party that lay in Ambufcade. 

 The Prince prcfently apprehended the treafon, and defended himfelf with the af 1 

 fiftance of his Attendants, who were all ilain ; he himfelf flew nine, but at length 

 ovcr-number'd, was taken and carri'd to fchanabat. When he came into 

 Aurcng-^eb's prefence, the King ask'd him how he did ? As well as a Prifoner of 

 yours can do, laid he, who experts no better ufage from you, than his Father re- 

 ceived before. The King bid him not be afraid, that he had no defign to put him 

 to death, but only to feeure his perfbn. Aureng-zjeb after that, demanding of 

 him what was become of all the Treafure which he had carri'd away, the Prince 

 made anfwer that he had fpent a great part in railing Souldiers againft him to have 

 rnhul hnfi, If it had been his good fortune : That a good part was in the hands of 

 JLaja Roup, whole avarice and pcrridioufhefs was fufliciently known. And that 

 J\ T act:~R.mi had got the remainder to deliver him to his enemies, to the prejudice 

 of his word and honour. Aurcng z.cb was furpriz'd and touch'd at the boldnefs 

 of his Nephew; but ambition (hotting his eyes, and itifling all thoughts of 

 juftice, which the juft remorfe of Confcience might excite within him, he gave or- 

 der that Sultan Mahomet his Son, and Soliman Cbekour his Nephew fhould both be 

 committed to the fort of Ooualtor to keep Morat-Bak^cbe company, which Was 

 done the 3 or A of ?4* 1661. 



Sultan Sujab, who was yet alive, but frill liv'd miferably, was the laft thorn in 

 A tir en n -self's, foot ; and the perfbn that drew it out for him, and rid him of his 

 laft patn, was the King of Arakan, whither the unfortunate Prince was at length 

 fore'd to retire. Who finding all his hopes to be loft, began to think of a Pilgri- 

 mage to Mecca, and from thence to go into Perfia, and implore a Sanrtuary un- 

 der the protection of that Prince. To this purpofe he thought he might obtain 

 a Veflel from the King ot Arakan, or the King of Pegu, to carry him to Mecca : 

 but he was ignorant that neither of thofe Kings had any Veflels, that would live in 

 the main Ocean. So that he was conftrain'd to ftay with the King of Arakan, an 

 Idolater, whofe Daughter he defir'd in Marriage, which the King granted, and by 

 whom he had a Son." But that which ought to have been the greateit occafion of 

 friendfhip between the Son-in-law and the Father-in-law, was the greateft reafbn 

 of their hatred and falling-out. For fome Lords of the Countrey, who began to 

 be jealous of Sultan Sujab, buzz'd the King of Arakan in the ear, as if he had an 

 intention by vertue of his Marriage, to diipoffefs him of his Throne, and to leave 

 it to his own Son. The Pagan King eafily believ'd what tfcey faid. Nor were 

 thefe fupitions ill-grounded j for Sultan Sujab having good ftore of Gold and 

 Jewels eafily corrupted feveral Mabumetans that liv'd in the Kingdom of Ara- 

 kan and with thofe and about two-hunder'd men more that had follow'd him. af- 

 ter the rout of his Army, he undertook a moft bold enterprize, which was yet a 

 mark rather of defpair than courage. He appointed a day to thofe of his party 



TO 



