Nor was an even more determined leaguer by Prince Dárá early in the following year any more successful, though some of his ordnance projected shot of nearly a hundredweight.
These campaigns in Afghánistán and beyond the Hindú Kúsh are of no importance in the history of India, except as illustrating the extreme difficulty of holding the mountain provinces from a distant centre, whether it be Delhi or Calcutta; but they were of the greatest service to Aurangzíb. They put him in touch with the imperial army, and enabled him to prove his courage and generalship in the eyes of the best soldiers in the land. It is not to be supposed that, with tried commanders like 'Alí Mardán, Jai Singh, and Sa'd-Allah, at his side, Aurangzíb enjoyed the real command. He was doubtless at first more a nominal than an acting general, – a princely figure-head to decorate the war-ship of proved officers. But as time went on, opportunities occurred for the exercise of his personal courage and tactical skill. The generals learnt to appreciate him at his true value, and the men discovered that their Prince was as cool and steady a leader as the best officer in India. When they saw him, in the midst of a battle with the Uzbegs, at the hour of evening prayer, calmly dismounting and performing his religious rites under fire, they recognised the mettle of the man. Henceforth every soldier and statesman in Hindústán knew that, whatever time should bring forth in the future of the empire, Aurangzíb was a factor to be reckoned with.
