Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.1.4

3.1.4

Aureng-Zebe expressed himself well pleased with the liberality of the Kans; extolling in exaggerated strains the beauty and rareness of the fruits, horses, and camels; and when he had spoken a few words on the fertility of their country, and asked two or three questions concerning the College at Samarcande, he desired the ambassadors to go and repose themselves, intimating that he should be happy to see them often. They came away from the audience delighted with their reception, without any feeling of mortification on account of the salam d rindieft, which certainly savours of servility, and not at all displeased that the King had refused to receive the letters from their own hands. If they had been required to kiss the ground, or to perform any act of still deeper humiliation, I verily believe they would have complied without a murmur. It should indeed be observed that it would have been unreasonable to insist upon saluting Aureng-Zebe according to the custom of their own country, or to expect that the letters would be delivered without the intervention of an Omrah: these privileges belong exclusively to Persian ambassadors ; nor are they granted, even to them, without much hesitation and difficulty.