Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.12.4

3.12.4

'When I was Prince I thought not of such precautions.' An order given in so decisive a tone could not be disobeyed. The Prince declined not the fearful undertaking; he encountered and overcame the tremendous beast with the loss of only two or three men; some horses were mangled, and the wounded lion bounded on the head of the Sultan's elephant. Since this strange adventure, Aureng-Zebe has behaved to his son with the utmost affection, and has even raised him to the government of the Decan. It must be owned, however, that Sultan Mazum is so limited in authority, and circumscribed in pecuniary means, that he cannot occasion much uneasiness to his father. Fifthly. The next personage I would recall to the recollection of my readers is Mohabet-Kan, the governor of Kaboul. He was induced at length to resign the government of that province, and Aureng-Zebe generously refused to punish him, declaring that the life of such a soldier was invaluable, and that he deserved commendation for his fidelity to his benefactor Chah-Jehan. The King even nominated him Governor of Guzarate instead of Jessomseingue, who was sent to the seat of war in the Decan. It is true that a few costly presents may have disposed the Mogol's mind in Mohabet's favour; for besides what he gave to Rauchenara-Begum, he sent the King fifteen or sixteen thousand golden roupies and a considerable number of Persian horses and camels.