missed him. The youngest son, Murād, made no impression on the Wazīr, who, influenced with the lordly bearing of Aurangzīb, advised the old Emperor to name him as his successor. Shāh Jahān, however, was in favour of Dāra. The minister, on hearing this decision, begged the Emperor to give him a paper of acquittance, as he knew well that the appointment of Dāra would lead to civil war. The Emperor agreed: Dāra was nominated as his successor. War ensued; Aurangzīb slew his brothers and gained his throne.[1]
IV. Aurafigzīb and the Korān.
When Aurangzīb ascended the throne he placed his father Shāh Jahān in confinement. Now, Muhammadans believe that if a boy succeeds in learning the Korān by heart his father will enter Paradise. On such an occasion he receives the congratulations of his friends, distributes sweetmeats, and feeds the poor.[2] While in prison Shāh Jahān learnt that one of the sons of Aurangzīb was able to repeat the whole Koran. So he sent his congratulations, saying that he was now safe to enter Paradise as his son could recite the holy book. Aurangzīb resented the implied sarcasm, and not to be outdone, set to work and soon learned the Korān by heart. Then he sent this message to his father: "Your son has learnt to recite the Korān, and you are now sure of Paradise."
V. Aurangzīb and his Pīr, or spiritual preceptor.[3]
After Aurangzīb ascended the throne his Pīr came to pay him a visit. The Emperor asked him whether he preferred to dine with him or in the public guest-house. The Pīr chose
- ↑ This is a folk-tradition of the intrigues which went on for the succession during the dotage of Shāh Jahān. The best account of the times is that of Manucci, whose Storia do Mogor has been recently admirably edited by Mr. W. Irvine.
- ↑ Such a person is called Hāfiz, "guardian, protector," and is much respected.
- ↑ "Pīr" means in Persian "elder," and is usually applied in the sense of Murshid, a religious leader, a sort of father confessor.
