AURENG-ZEBE, or AURUNGZEBE, the Great Mogul, and a successful conqueror, was born in the year 1618. He was the third and favourite son of Shaw Jehan, whom he succeeded in the empire of Hindostan. Auren•zebe, from his youth, seemed destined to wield the sceptre of a mighty kingdom. With a boundless ambition, lurking under the appear ance of unassuming humility, he possessed talents capable of directing it to the accomplishment of its object. He was well acquainted with the customs' of his country. He knew that the princes of the blood must either look to sovereignty or death. No ties of kindred or humanity could save them from this alternative ; the safety of the reigning monarch re quiring the extirpation of all, who by their birth or power might compete with him in the empire. To lull the jealousy and suspicions of his elder brothers, he had assumed the habit and manners of a Folder, a kind of religious mendicant. But while he was counting his beads, and appeared, to all around, in different about the concerns of a present world, he was devising means for procuring the interests of the nobles, and laying plans for possessing the throne. By his dutiful behaviour, and apparent submission, he had insinuated himself into the affections and esteem of his father, with whom he always held a secret cor respondence.\ Dara, the eldest-son of Shaw Jehan, alarmed at the growing interests of Aureng-zebc, and beginning to suspect, that he had designs upon the throne, took every mean of thwarting his plans, and was often tempted to cry out, Of all my bro thers, I fear none but this Nomad (this great pray ing man )." Aureng-zebe had been appointed to the government of the Deccan, where he first shewed his warlike disposition, and his thirst for conquest. His first attempt was directed against the kingdom of Golconda, which he would undoubtedly have sub dued, had it not been snatched out of his hands by the intrigues of Dara, who, apprehensive that such a conquest would render Aureng-zebe too powerful, persuaded Shaw Jehan to accede to an immediate peace. But the loss of territory was greatly com pensated by the friendship of Meer Jumla, the great est general of his age, who, offended at the ungrate ful and unworthy treatment which he had received from the king of Golconda, his master, revolted to Aureng-zebe, and was the principal instrument in raising that prince to the throne of Delhi.
Shaw Jehan falling dangerously ill in 1656, a re port of his death was spread abroad, which put the whole empire in commotion, and his sons immediately prepared for open war. All the abilities of Aureng zebe were now called into action. He found himself unable to contend single-handed with Dara, who re sided at court, and, possessing the ear of his father, could command all the resources of the empire. But
what force could not obtain, might be accomplished by fraud. He wrote to his brother Morad, declaring that he, being a Fakier, had no desire to reign ; and promising, that if he would join him with all the troops which he could raise in his government, he would place him upon the throne of Hiudostan. Mo. rad was ambitious, generous, and brave, but too im prudent and unsuspicious for the times in which he lived. Little suspecting the •deceitful villainy of his brother, he immediately acceded to his wishes. They joined their forces on the banks of the Nirbidda, and accompanied by Jumla, hastened with all expedition to Agra. The mandate of his father met Aureng zebe on his march, intimating his perfect recovery, and forbidding him to advance. Aureng-zebc pre tended that this was merely a trick of his brother Dara ; he swore that the letter was a counterfeit, and that his father was really dead. The imperial army under Darn was overthrown in the plains of Samon ghes, and the victorious brothers stopt not till they reached the gates of Agra. Aureng-zebe now saw a throne at his disposal. He had gained over to his interest the chief omrahs of the empire; and none were allowed to enter the presence of Shaw Jehan without his permission. At the same time, he made great protestations of affection and submission to his father, and laid all the blame of what had happened upon the ambition and evil designs of Dara. He had as yet treated Morad with the affection of a bro ther, and the respect of a subject, always addressing him with the title of king.. But the mask was soon to be withdrawn, and the hypocritical fakier was to appear in his real character. Morad having inadver tently drunk too much wine at an entertainment given by Aureng-zebe, fell asleep. While in this state, his servants were ordered to withdraw, and his sabre and poignard were secured. Aureng-zebe, who had re tired early, now entered the chamber, and awakening his Brother, upbraided him with his indiscretion and debauchery so unbecoming a king ; then addressing his attendants, " Take this infamous drunkard ; tie him hand and foot, and throw him into that room, there to sleep out his wine." The remonstrances of Morad were ineffectual, He was carried in chains to the fortress of Gualiar, where he soon after fell a victim to the fears of his brother. By the exertions of Jumla, Dara was also reduced to submission, and afterwards murdered ; and his remaining brother Su ja soon experienced the same fate.