The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 36: Eleventh Year of the Reign.
Dwázda-Sála-i Jahángírí; Wáki’át Jahángírí, of the Emperor Jahángír (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 36
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- English
Eleventh Year of the Reign.
36.1
The Nau-roz of the eleventh year of my reign corresponded with the 1st Rabi’u-l awwal, 1025 H. (10th March, 1616 A.D.). In this year, or rather in the tenth year of my reign, a dreadful plague (wabá) broke out in many parts of Hindustan. It first appeared in the districts of the Panjab, and gradually came to Lahore. It destroyed the lives of many Muhammadans and Hindus. It spread through Sirhind and the Doab to Delhi and its dependent districts, and reduced them and the villages to a miserable condition. Now it has wholly subsided. It is said by old men, and it is also clear from the histories of former times, that this disease had never appeared before in this country. I asked the physicians and learned men what was the cause of it, as for two years in succession the country had suffered from famine, and there had been a deficiency of rain. Some said that it was to be attributed to the impurity of the air arising from drought and scarcity; but some ascribed it to other causes. God knows, and we must patiently submit to his will.
36.2
Before this date, some thieves had plundered the public treasury of the kotwálí, and after a few days seven vagabonds were apprehended, with their chief named Namal. Some of the treasure was also recovered. I was incensed at the bold conduct of these scoundrels, and consequently I was determined to punish them severely. Each of them got a fitting punishment, and their chief was ordered to be trodden under the feet of an elephant. He petitioned to me that he would rather fight with that formidable animal than suffer the agony of being trampled under his feet. I consented to this. A dagger was given to him, and notwithstanding that the elephant, which was wild and vicious, prostrated him several times, and notwithstanding he had been witness to the fate of his associates, yet, with undaunted courage, he managed to recover his feet, and inflict several wounds with his dagger upon the trunk, and succeeded in driving the animal back. It was truly an act of wonderful bravery, and I therefore spared his life, directing at the same time he was to be taken care of. After some time, he ungratefully made his escape. It gave me much annoyance. I issued orders to the jágírdárs of the neighbourhood for his apprehension, and when caught he was hanged by the neck.
36.3
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 1st of Zí-l ka’da, corresponding with 21st of Ábán, I marched in sound health from Ajmír in a European carriage drawn by four horses, and I ordered several nobles to make up carriages similar to it, and to attend upon me with them. About sunset I reached my camp in the village Deo Rána, a distance of nearly two kos. It is customary in India, when a king, prince, or noble undertakes an expedition towards the east, to ride on an elephant with long tusks; when towards the west, to ride on a horse of one colour; when towards the north, to go in a litter or palki; when towards the south, to go in a carriage drawn by bullocks. I remained at Ajmir five days less than three years. At that place there is the holy shrine of Khwaja Mu’inu-d din. Ajmir is situated within the limits of the second climate. * * *
36.4
A large tray of fruits was brought before me. Among them were the celebrated melons of Karez, Badakhshan, and Kabul. Grapes from the latter place as well as from Samarkand. The sweet pomegranates of Yazd, and the subacid ones of Farrah. Pears from Samarkand and Badakhshan. Apples from Kashmir, Kabul, Jalalabad, and Samarkand were also there. Pine-apples from the seaports of the Europeans were also in the tray. There were some plants of this latter fruit placed in my private gardens at Agra, and after some time they produced several thousands of that fruit. The kaula was also among them, which is smaller than an orange, and full of sweet juice. In the province of Bengal it is produced in abundance. I had no sufficient words to thank Almighty God for the enjoyment of these delicious fruits. My father the late King was exceedingly fond of fruit, especially melons, pomegranates, and grapes; but in his reign, the melons from Karez, which are of the best quality, the pomegranates from Yazd, which are celebrated all over the world, and pears from Samarkand, were never brought to India, and, therefore, when I see and enjoy those luxuries, I regret that my father is not here to share them. * * * When I was Prince, I had promised to give an Altamgha grant of the district of Malda in Bengal to Mir Ziau-d din, a saiyid of Kazwin, and two of his sons. When I ascended the throne, I gave him the name of Mustafa Khan, and in this journey I had the pleasure of fulfilling my promise.