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. IV. Of the Flight of Dara-cha to the Kingdoms of Scindi and Guzerat: Of the second Battel which he fought against Aureng-zeb: His being taken Prisoner, and death.

DAra-cha having carri'd along with him the best part of the Gold and Silver which was in the Fortress of Agra by his Father's advice, and being got in∣to the Kingdom of Lahor, was in good hopes to have rais'd an Army in a short time to have stopt the proceedings of his Brother. His most faithful Servants and Friends had always accompani'd him in his misfortune. And as for his Eldest Son, Soliman Shekour, he went, with the Raja Roup, into the Territories of that Raja's own demeans, to levy men; carrying along with him five-millions of Roupies, which make of our Money seven-millions and 500000 Livres. But that great Sum opening the Raja Roup's eyes, he most treacherously and infa∣mously seiz'd upon it; whereupon Soliman Chekour, fearing he should proceed farther, and make some attempt upon his person, fled in all hast into the Kingdom of Sireneguer, under the protection of the Raja Nakti-Rani, who more foully and basely deliver'd him up sometime after to Aureng-zeb.

Dara-cha having notice of the Raja Roup's treason, and seeing all his friends had forsook him, and were revolted to Aureng-zeb, quitted Lahor, and retir'd in∣to the Kingdom of Scindi. Before he left the Fortress, he sent all the Gold, Silver, Jewels and Wealth that was in the Fort, away by water to Baker, a Fort in the midst of the River Indus. To guard all that Wealth, he lest an Eunuch, and six-thousand men, with all provisions necessary for a Siege; after that he went to Scindi, where he left several great pieces of Cannon. Then he march'd through the Territories of the Raja of Kachnagana, who made him mountainous promises to no effect; then he came into the Kingdom of Guzerat, where the people receiv'd him as their lawful King and Heir to Cha-jehan. He sent his Orders to all the Cities, and particularly to Surat, where he appointed a Governor; but the Gover∣nor of the Fortress, who was left there by Morat-Bakche, refus'd to submit to Dara-cha, so that he was forc'd to let him alone.

In the mean time Dara-cha receiv'd news at Amadabat, that Jessomseing, one of the most potent Raja's in all India, was fall'n off from Aureng-zeb. The same Raja also solicits him to advance with his Army. Dara-cha confiding in his words, follow'd his counsel, and march'd to Emir, which was the place of Rende∣vouz appointed. But Raja Jessomseing being regain'd by the perswasions of Raja Jesseing, more potent than himself, to favour Aureng-zeb, never met according to his promise; nor did he come till the last push; and then only with a design to betray the poor Prince. Thus the two Brothers meeting, they came to a Battel which lasted three days: but in the heat of all the Fight, Jessomseing shewing an apparent treachery, went over to Aureng-zeb; upon which Dara-cha's Souldiers immediately fled. Dara-cha having thus lost all his hopes, and finding Fortune con∣trary to all his expectations, fled away likewise with his Wives, some of his Chil∣dren, and his most faithful Servants, in an equipage that drew compassion. But coming to Amadabat, the Governor having declar'd for Aureng-zeb, deni'd him entrance. Thereupon he discamp'd in the middle of the night, and took the road for Scindi.

He arriv'd at Scindi, with an intention to pass into Persia, where Cha-Abas the Second expected him with a magnificent Retinue, and a resolution to have assisted

him with Men and Money. But not daring to trust himself by Sea; as he pass'd through the Countrey of the Patanes, in the way to Candahar, he was unworthily betraid by one of the Lords of the Countrey, call'd Gion-Kan; who had been an Officer under the King his Father, and who having been condemn'd for his crimes by the mouth of his Father, and ready to be thrown under the Elephant's-feet, had been pardon'd at the intercession of Dara-cha. For an addition to his affliction, before he came to Gion-Kan's House, he receiv'd the news of the death of that particular Wife which he lov'd most entirely, and which had always accompani'd him in his misfortunes. He understood that she dy'd through heat and drowth, not being able to get a drop of water in the Countrey to refresh her thirst. The Prince was so mov'd at the news, that he fell down, like one that had been struck quite dead; and when he came to himself, he tore his clothes in the ex∣cess of his grief: an ancient custom still continu'd in the East. He had always shew'd himself insensible upon all other occasions of misfortune, but this fatal stroke so deeply pierc'd him, that he would receive no consolation from his friends. After this, he clad himself according to his misfortune; and instead of a Turbant, he only put about his head a piece of coarse Calicut. In this miserable equipage he enter'd into the House of the Traytor Gion-Kan, where being laid down to rest himself upon a Field-bed, a new subject of sorrow awak'd him. For Gion-Kan having a design to seize Sepper-Shekour, Dara-cha's second Son, the young Prince, though but a Youth, made a bold resistance, and with his Bow and Arrows laid three men upon the ground; but not being able to resist a multitude, he was at length taken. Dara-cha waken'd with the noise, saw before his eyes his Son, whom they were leading toward him, with his hands ty'd behind him. Then the miserable Father of the young Prince, no longer misdoubting the horrid treason of Gion-Kan, could not refrain from letting fall in his passion these expressions. Finish, said he, ingrateful and infamous Villain as thou art, finish the work thou hast begun; we are become Victims to bad Fortune, and Aureng-zeb's unjust Ambition. But remember that I only deserve death for having sav'd thy life: for never Prince of the Royal Blood had his hands ty'd behind him before. Gion-Kan in some mea∣sure mov'd at these words, caus'd the little Prince to be unbound, and only set guards upon Dara-oha and his Son. At the same time he also sent expresses to Raja Jessomseing, and to Abdulla-Kan, to give them advice that he had selz'd up∣on Dara-cha and his Train. Thereupon they made hast to share in the spoils of that poor Prince. But they could not be so swift, but that Gion-Kan had seiz'd upon all that Dara-cha had of most precious in the World; using as inhumanly both his Wives and his Children. The Raja and Abdulla being ar∣riv'd, provided Elephants for the Prince, his Son, and his Wives, and carri'd them away immedlately to Jehanabat; the people crowded to behold them, every one being desirous to see the Prince whom they so earnestly desir'd to have had for their King. Aureng-zeb caused them to be shewn in all the Streets and Market-places of Jehanabat, that no man might question hereafter their being taken; and as if he had glori'd in his treachery toward his Brother, he presently condemn'd and sent him away to the Castle of Asser. But of all that crowded to behold, not one would stir to assist or succour their lawful Prince. Only some few generous Souldiers who had serv'd him, and had receiv'd some kindnesses from him, seeing themselves not able to deliver their Prince, yet desirous to shew him some proofs of their acknowledgment, fell with all their fury upon the Traitor Gion-Kan, who though he were rescu'd from them at that time, yet soon after met with the re∣ward due to his crime; for he was kill'd as he was crossing a Wood in his return home.

In the mean time Aureng-zeb, like a good Polititian, and an extraordinary Dis∣sembler, gave it out, that it was by no order of his that Dara-cha was seiz'd; on∣ly he desir'd him to retire out of the Kingdom, which he refusing to do, Gion-Kan, unknown to him, had unworthily seiz'd his person; and without respect to the Royal-Blood, had shamefully ty'd the hands of the young Sepper-Shekour behind him: which being a crime and an indignity done to his Majesty, had been punish'd, by the death of Gion-Kan and his accomplices. But this was only publish'd to abuse the people; for had it been true, Aureng-zeb would never have given order to have his Brother's head cut off.

For Dara-Cha being sent from Jehanabat with a Guard to the place of his imprisonment; when he came to a fair place where he thought to repose him self, they dress'd up the Tent where he was to leave his Head. After he had eaten, Seif-Kan came and brought him the sentence of his Death. Dara-Cha seeing him enter, told him he was very welcome, and that he was glad to see one of his most faithful Servants. Seif-Kan made answer, that indeed he had formerly been one of his Servants, but that now he was the Slave of Aureng∣zeb, who had commanded him to bring him his Head. Must I dye then? said Dara-Cha. 'Tis the Kings command, reply'd Seif-Kan, and I am entrusted to execute it. Sepper-Chekour, who lay in an anti-Chamber of the Tent, waking upon this contest, would have seiz'd upon certain weapons which had been taken from him, with an intention to have assisted his Father; but he was pre∣vented by those that accompany'd Seif-Kan. Dara-Cha would have made some resistance himself, but seeing it was in vain, he only desir'd time for his devo∣tions, which was granted him. In the mean time Sepper-Chekour was taken from him; and while they held him a story, a Slave took off Dara-Cha's. Head, which was carried to Aureng-zeb by Seif-Kan. This bloody Tragedy being thus acted, Sepper-Chekour was sent to the Castle of Goualeor, to keep his Uncle Morat-Bakche company. As for the Wives and Daughters of Dara-Cha, they were allotted an Apartment in Aureng-zeb's Haram.