CHAP. XIV.] TO TURN TO NORTH OR SOUTH? 343 making military demonstrations in the South had its drawbacks too. The affairs of Hindus- tan had necessarily to be neglected. The long- er Aurangzib delayed in maturing his plans for contesting the throne, proclaiming himself a claimant, and marching on Hindustan, the greater was the time that would Dara gain for re- calling the chief captains from the Deccan, winning over officers and men far and near, con- solidating his own power, and effectually counter- acting Aurangzib's possible designs. Moreover, during this period of suspense all ambitious and selfish men were likely to go over to Dara in the belief that the timid and slow Aurangzib would never make himself Emperor.* or to lose all the gains of the Bija- pur war. If, on the other hand, Aurangzib concentrated his forces, made a public claim to the throne, marched north- wards and openly broke with the Imperial government by enlisting troops and forcibly detaining with himself the officers order- ed back to the Court, then he would, no doubt, check Dara in time, he would secure the adhe- sion of ambitious adventurers. But at the same time the helpless condition of Shah Jahan, the civil war among the princes, and the temporary collapse of the Imperial authority would become
- Adab, 94a.
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