The six voyages of John Baptista Tavernier, Baron of Aubonne through Turky, into Persia and the East-Indies, for the space of forty years : giving an account of the present state of those countries, viz. of the religion, government, customs, and commerce of every country, and the figures, weight, and value of the money currant all over Asia : to which is added A new description of the Seraglio / made English by J.P. ; added likewise, A voyage into the Indies, &c. by an English traveller, never before printed ; publish'd by Dr. Daniel Cox

CHAP. III. Of the Imprisonment of Cha-jehan, and how he was punish'd by Aureng-zeb his third Son, for the injustice he had done Prince Boulaki his Nephew, the Grandchild of Gehan-guir, to whom, as to the Son of the Eldest Son, the Empire of the Moguls be∣long'd.

GEhan-guir, King of India, Son of Achbar, and Grandchild to Houmajon, reign'd very peaceably during the space of twenty-three years, equally belov'd both by his Subjects and Neighbours. But his life seem'd too long to his two Sons, who were both ambitious to reign. The eldest rais'd a power∣ful Army near Lahor, with an intention to have surpriz'd his Father, and to have possess'd himself of the Throne by force. The King incens'd at the inso∣lence of his Son, resolv'd to chastise him; meets him with a considerable Army, defeats him, and takes him Prisoner, with many of the most considerable No∣bility that adher'd to him. After which, out of a natural affection to his Chil∣dren, he sav'd his life, but put out his Eyes. And when he was blind he al∣ways kept him about his person, with an intention to have prefer'd his eldest Son Boulaki to the Crown, whose Father had already many Sons, but all very young. But Sultan Courom, his second Son, believing it his right to be prefer'd before a Nephew, resolv'd to leave no stone unturn'd to remove him from his hopes, and to settle himself in possession before the death of his Father. However he conceal'd his intentions from him, appearing outwardly very obedient to his Father, who always kept about him the Children of his eldest Son. By that submission he more easily brought about his designs; for having by that means gain'd the good will of his Father, he obtain'd leave to carry along with him the blind Prince, his eldest Brother, to his Government of the Kingdom Decan. He laid before his Father, that it would be far better to remove from his sight, an object that could not chuse but be so afflicting to him; and that the Prince himself, being blind, would spend the rest of his days more comfortably in Decan, where he might be more retir'd. The King not penetrating into his design, readily consented to his request. Who when he had that poor Prince in his Clutches, made him away with that secresie which was not to be disco∣ver'd; and under the most plausible pretence imaginable, to conceal him from the eyes of men.

After the death of the blind Prince, Sultan Courom took upon him the name of Cha-jehan, that is, King of the World; and to uphold his Title, he rais'd an Army to finish what his Brother had begun, which was to dethrone his Father, and to take possession of the Empire. The King incens'd as well at the death of his Son, as at the attempt against his own person, sent a considerable Army to chastise Courom for so bold an Enterprize. But the rebellious Prince finding himself too weak to stand his Fathers force, quitted the Kingdom of Decan, and with certain Vagabonds that follow'd him, wander'd from place to place, till he came to Bengala, where he rais'd an Army with an intention to give the King Battel. To which purpose, passing the Ganges, he marches directly toward the Kingdom of Lahor; whom the King in person met, with an Army much more numerous and stronger than his. But Gehan-guir being old, and wearied with the troubles that his Sons had put him to, dy'd by the way, leaving Cha-jehan at liberty to pursue his own designs. However before he expir'd, the good King had time to recommend his Grandchild Boulaki to Asouf-Kan, his Generalissimo and prime Minister of State, who was Protector of the Empire. He commanded also all the Officers of the Army to acknowledg him for King, as being the lawful Heir; declaring Sultan Komrom a Rebel, and incapable of the Succession. Moreover he made Asouf-Kan to swear in particular, that he would never suffer Boulaki to be put to death, which way soever affairs went; which Asouf-Kan sware upon his Thigh; and as religiously observ'd as to the Article of not

putting him to death; but not as to that of helping him to the Crown, which he design'd for Cha-jehan, who had married his eldest Daughter, the Mother of four Princes, and two Princesses.

The news of the Kings death being known at Court, caus'd a general la∣mentation. And presently all the Grandees of the Kingdom set themselves to execute the Kings Will and Testament, acknowledging Sultan Boulaki for Em∣peror, who was very young. That Prince had two Cousin-Germans, who were both of them by the Kings consent turn'd Christians, and made publick pro∣fession thereof. Those two young Princes, being very apprehensive, perceiv'd that Asouf-Kan, Father-in-Law to Cha-jehan, and Father of Cha-Est-Kan, had no good intentions toward the young King, and gave him notice of it; which cost them their lives, and the King the loss of his Dominions. For the young King, having no more with than was agreeable to his age, openly declar'd to Asouf-Kan what his Cousins had reveal'd to him in private, and ask'd the Ge∣neral whether it were true, that he had a design to set up his Uncle against him or no. Asuof-Kan immediately accus'd the Reporters of salsity and im∣pudence, and protested his fidelity to his King, and vow'd to spend the last drop of his blood to preserve him in the possession of the Empire. However seeing his Conspiracy discover'd, he resolv'd to prevent the punishment; to which end having got the two Princes into his possession, he put them both to death. But before that, in regard of his power in the Army and in the Empire, he had already brought over to Cha-jehans party the greatest part of the Commanders and Lords of the Court; and the better to play his game, and deceive the young King, he rais'd a report that Cha-jehan was dead; and because he had desir'd to be buried near his Father Gehan-guir, the body was to be brought to Agra. This Stratagem being cunningly manag'd, Asouf-Kan himself gave advice of the feign'd death to the King; telling the King withall, that it would be but a common civility for him to go and meet the Corps when it came within a League or two of the City, being an Honour due to a Prince of the Blood of the Moguls. All this while Cha-jehan kept himself in∣cognito, till coming within sight of the Army that lay about Agra, he caus'd himself to be put into a Coffin, wherein there was only a hole left for him to breath at. This Coffin being carri'd under a moving Tent, all the principal Officers who were of the plot with Asouf-Kan, came to perform the usual Ceremonies of State to the body of the deceas'd Prince, while the young King was upon the way to meet the body. But then Asouf-Kan finding it seasonable to exe∣cute his design, caus'd the Coffin to be open'd, and Cha-jehan rising up, and shewing himself to the eyes of all the Army, was saluted Emperor by all the Generals and other principal Officers, who had their Cue ready; so that the name of Cha-jehan running in a moment from one mans mouth to another, the Acclamation became publick, and the Empire was setled upon him. The young King hearing the news by the way, was so surpriz'd, that he thought of no∣thing but how to save himself by flight, being upon a sudden forsaken by all his followers. And Cha-jehan not believing it any way necessary to pursue him, suffer'd him to wander a long time in India like a Fakir. At length he retir'd into Persia, where he was magnificently receiv'd by Cha-Sefi, who allow'd him a pension fit for so great a Prince, which he still enjoys.

Cha-jehan having thus usurp'd the Crown, the better to secure himself, and to stifle all Factions that might arise during the life of the lawful Prince, whom he had so unjustly despoiled of his right, by degrees put to death all those that had shew'n any kindness to his Nephew. So that the first part of his Reign was noted for many acts of cruelty, that blemish'd his reputation. No less unfortunate was the end of his Reign. For as he had unjustly depriv'd the lawful Heir, of the Empire which belong'd to him; he was himself, while he yet liv'd, depriv'd of his Crown by Aureng-zeb his own Son, who kept him Prisoner in the Fortress of Agra.

For after Dara-Cha had lost the Battel against his two Brothers, Aureng-zeb and Morat-Bakche, in the Plain of Samonguir, and was treacherously abandoned by the principal Officers of the Army, he retir'd into the Kingdom of Lahor, with all the Treasure which the confusion of his affairs would suffer him to get together. In

the King to resist the violence of his victorious Sons, shut himself up in the Castle of Agra, to the end he might not be surpriz'd, but have time and leisure to observe how far the insolence of his children would transport them. As for Aurengzeb, who had Morat Bakche safe enough, he enters Agra, feigning to believe a report that Cha-jehan was dead, that he might have liberty to get into the Fortress, where he said one of the Omra's would make it out. The more he reported the death of Cha-jehan, the more did the King endeavour to let the people know he was alive. But finding both Power and Fortune had taken Aureng-zeb's party; and being also in great necessity for want of water, he sent Fazel-Kan, grand Master of his Houshold, to assure his Son that he was alive; and withal to tell him that it was the King's command, that he should retire to his Vice-Roy-ship in Decan, without putting him to any more vexation, and that upon his obedience, he would forgive whatever had past. Aurengzeb, firm in his resolution, return'd for answer to Fazel-Kan, that he was certain that the King his Father was dead, and that upon that account he had only taken Arms to se∣cure the Crown to himself, which he thought he deserv'd, as well as the rest of his Brothers. That if his Father were living, he had too great a respect for him to undertake the least enterprize that should displease him; and therefore that he might be certain he was not dead, he desir'd to see him, and to kiss his feet; and having so done, he would retire to his Government, and punctually obey his Commands. Fazel-Kan return'd this answer to the King, who declar'd that he should be glad to see his Son, and sent back Fazel-Kan, to tell him he should be welcome. But Aureng-zeb more cunning than Cha-jehan; assur'd Fazel-Kan that he would not set his foot in the Castle, till the Garrison that was in it should be sent away to make room for his men. For the Prince was afraid, and not without reason, if he should adventure into a Fortress where he was not absolute Master himself, lest they should seize his person, of which the King being apprehensive, consented to his proposal, not being able to do better at that time. Thereupon the Garrison which belong'd to Cha-jehan was sent out of the Castle, and another of Aureng-zeb's enter'd, commanded by Sultan Mahomet the eldest of his Sons, to whom he gave order to secure his Father's person. When they were thus got in, and his Father safe, he delaid seeing his Father from day to day, waiting (as he gave ou t for excuse) a kind opportunity for the enterview; and pretending his Astrologers did not presently think it seasonable, he retir'd into the Countrey, to a House about two or three leagues from Agra, which very much displeased the people, who waited every day for the fortunate hour, from which they expected a conclusion of their miseries by the Father and Son's discourse together. But Aureng-zeb, who was in no great hast to see his Father, took up another resolu∣tion, which was to seize upon all his Fathers treasure, which Dara-Sha had not time to carry away. He also shut up in the same Fortress Begum-Saheb his Sister, to keep the King company, by whom she was entirely belov'd: and took into his own hands all the wealth she had got, by her Father's liberality.

Cha-jehan enrag'd to see himself us'd in that manner by his own Son, made an attempt to escape, and kill'd some of the Guards that oppos'd him; which caus'd Aureng-zeb more strictly to confine him. In the mean time it was a won∣derful thing to see that not one of the Servants of so great a King so much as offer'd to help him; that all his Subjects should forsake him, and turn their eyes upon the rising-Sun; acknowledging only Aureng-zeb for King, while they seem'd to have forgotten Cha-jehan, though still alive. Thus this great Monarch sadly ended his days in Prison, and dy'd in the Fortress of Agra in the year 1666 the last time that I was in India.

During his Reign he had begun to build the City of Jehanabad, though he had not quite finish'd it, and therefore he desir'd to see it once more before he dy'd; but Aureng-zeb would not give him leave, unless he would be content to go and come back by water, or else to be confin'd to the Castle of Jehanabad, as he was at Agra, which refusal of his Son did so torment him, that it hasten'd his end. Which as soon as Aureng-zeb heard of, he came to Agra, and seiz'd upon all the Jewels, whick he had not taken from his Father while he liv'd. Begum-Saheb had also a quantity of Jewels, which he had not taken from her when he put her into the Castle. But now, because she had formerly taken her Father's part, he

found out a way to deprive her of them after a very plausible manner; making a shew of bestowing very great Honours and Caresses upon his Sister, and taking her along with him to Jehanabad. But in a short time after we heard the news of her death; which prov'd, and all people suspected her to have been poison'd.