CHAP. II.] AURANGZIB SUPREME COMMANDER. 2 I Aurangzib ap- pointed supreme commander. and it would have been hard to ensure unity of plan and co-operation among them if they had been left to themselves. A supreme com- mander was needed, whose high position would of itself enforce discipline and obedience. For this purpose the Emperor sent his son Aurangzib, then a lad of sixteen, with the rank of a Comman- der of 10,000 and escorted by 1000 archers of the guard and 1000 horse. He was to be the no- minal chief of the expedition, and stay far in the rear. The three generals were to advise him about every military operation, but his voice was to be decisive, and they were not to act without consulting him.* In the meantime an ultimatum had been
- Abdul Hamid, I. B. 99-100. Dow's highly coloured
account is very amusing to read: "Aurungzebe was sent against him. This was the first opportunity given to that young lion of rioting in blood....The war was protracted for two years...Aurungzebe though but thirteen years of age, displayed that martial intrepidity...which could not be restrained. He was present in every danger, &c." (iii. 132). If the campaign was meant to be Aurangzib's baptism of fire, we must say that the baptism was performed at a great distance from the fire. Throughout the war the young prince was kept by his guardian safe in the rear, many miles behind the fighting line. Digitized by Microsoft Ⓡ
