[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Histoire de la dernière révolution des États du Grand Mogol](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier) › [Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable) › 3.12 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.12 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 3.12 - **Language:** English ### [3.12.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.1) The pirates about this period had assassinated one of the King of Rakan's principal officers, and it is not known whether they were more struck with terror by the punishment awaiting them for that crime, or moved by the promises and threats contained in Chah-hest's communication. Certain it is, however, that these unworthy Portuguese were one day seized with so strange a panic as to embark in forty or fifty galleasses and sail over to Bengale, and they adopted this measure with so much precipitation that they had scarcely time to take their families and valuable effects on board. ### [3.12.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.2) Chah-hestkan received these extraordinary visitors with open arms; gave them large sums of money; provided the women and children with excellent accommodation in the town of Dacca, and after he had thus gained their confidence, the pirates evinced an eagerness to act in concert with the Mogol's troops, shared in the attack and capture of Sondiva, which island had fallen into the hands of the King of Rakan, and accompanied the Indian army from Sondiva to Chatlgon. Meanwhile the two Dutch ships of war made their appearance, and Chah-hestkan having thanked the commanders for their kind intentions, informed them that he had now no need of their services. I saw these vessels in Bengale, and was in company with the officers, who considered the Indian's thanks a poor compensation for the violation of his engagements. In regard to the Portuguese, Chah-hest treats them, not perhaps as he ought, but certainly as they deserve. He has drawn them from Chatlgon; they and their families are in his power; an occasion for their services no longer exists; he considers it, therefore, quite unnecessary to fulfil a single promise. He suffers month after month to elapse without giving them any pay; declaring that they are traitors, in whom it is folly to confide; wretches who have basely betrayed the Prince whose salt they had eaten for many years. ### [3.12.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.3) In this manner has Chah-hestkan extinguished the power of these scoundrels in Chatigon; who, as I have already said, had depopulated and ruined the whole of Lower Bengal. Time will show whether his enterprise against the King of Rakan will be crowned with similar success. Fourthly. Respecting the two sons of Aureng-Zebe, Sultan Mahmoud and Sultan Mazum, the former is still confined in Goualeor; but, if we are to believe the general report, without being made to drink poust, the beverage usually given to the inmates of that fortress. Sultan Mazum appears to comport himself with his accustomed prudence and moderation, although the transaction I am about to relate is perhaps an evidence that this Prince during the dangerous illness of his father had carried on secret intrigues, or that the displeasure of Aureng-Zebe was excited by some other circumstance unknown to the public. It may be, however, that, without any reference to the past, the King was only anxious to obtain authentic proof both of his son's obedience and of his courage, when he commanded him, in a full assembly of Omrahs, to kill a lion which had descended from the mountains and was then laying waste the surrounding country. The Grand Master of the Hunt ventured to hope that Sultan Mazum might be permitted to avail himself of those capacious nets which are ordinarily made use of in so perilous a chase. 'He shall attack the lion without nets,' sternly replied the King. ### [3.12.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.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. ### [3.12.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.5) The mention of Kaboul reminds me of the adjacent kingdom of Kandahar, at present tributary to Persia; to the subject of which I ought to devote one or two pages. Much ignorance prevails concerning that country, as well as on the political feeling which it creates between the governments of Persia and Hindoustan. The name of the capital is also Kandahar, which is the stronghold of this rich and fine kingdom. The desire of possessing the capital has been, for some ages, the cause of sanguinary wars between the Mogols and Persians. The great Ekbar wrested it from the latter, and kept it during the remainder of his reign. Chah-Abas the celebrated King of Persia took the city from Jehan-Guyre the son of Ekbar; and the treachery of the Governor Ali Merdan-kan delivered it into the hands of Chah-Jehan the son of Jehan-Guyre. Aly Merdan immediately placed himself under the protection of his new Sovereign; he had many enemies in his own country, and was too prudent to obey the summons of the Persian monarch, who called upon him to give an account of his government. Kandahar was again besieged and captured by the son of Chah-Abas, and afterwards twice unsuccessfully attacked by Chah-Jehan. The first failure was owing to the bad conduct or the perfidy of the Persian omrahs in the Great Mogol's service, the most powerful noblemen of his court, and strongly attached to their native country. ### [3.12.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.6) They betrayed a shameful lukewarmness during the siege, refusing to follow the Raja Roup who had already planted his standard on the wall nearest to the mountain. Aureng-Zebe's jealousy occasioned the second failure. He would not storm the breach which the cannon of the Franks — English, Portuguese, Germans, and French — had rendered sufficiently practicable; because the enterprise had originated with Dara, at that time with his father in the city of Kahoul, and he felt unwilling that his brother should have the credit of so valuable an acquisition. Chah-Jehan, a few years before the late troubles, seemed on the point of besieging Kandahar for the third time, but was deterred from the enterprise by Emir-Jemla, who, as we have stated, advised the Mogol to send his army to the Decan. Aly Merdan-kan seconded with great earnestness the Emir's arguments, and addressed the King in these extraordinary words: — 'Your Majesty will never succeed in taking Kandahar, unless her gates be opened by such a traitor as myself; or unless you determine to exclude all Persians from the besieging army, and issue a proclamation promising entire freedom to the bazaars; ### [3.12.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.7) that is, exempting them from the payment of any duty on provisions brought for the use of the army.' A few years ago Aureng-Zebe, following the example of his predecessors, made preparations for the attack of this celebrated city, being offended with the letter written by the King of Persia, or with the ungracious reception experienced by his ambassador, Tarbiet-Kan, at the Persian court: but he heard of the King's death, and abandoned the project; feeling reluctant, as he pretended, to act with hostility against a child just seated on the throne; although Chah-Soliman, who succeeded his father, cannot, I think, be less than five-and-twenty years of age. Sixthly. I would now say something of the warm partisans of Aureng-Zebe, most of whom have been promoted to situations of high trust and dignity. His uncle Chah-hestkan was made, as we have mentioned, Governor and Commander-in-chief in the Decan; subsequently this nobleman was made governor of Bengale, Mir-Kan obtained the government of Kaboul; Kalilullah-Kan that of Lahor; Mir-baba, of Elahas; Laskerkan, of Patna; and the son of that Allah-Verdi-Kan, whose advice cost Sultan Sujah the battle of Kadjoue, was made Governor of Scindy. Faselkan, whose counsels and address had been essentially useful to Aureng-Zebe, was invested with the office of Kamesaman, or Grand Chamberlain of the royal household. Danechmend-Kan was appointed Governor of Dehli; ### [3.12.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12.8) and, in consideration of his studious habits, and the time which he necessarily devotes to the affairs of the foreign department, he is exempted from the ancient ceremony of repairing twice a day to the assembly, for the purpose of saluting the King; the omission of which, subjects other Omrahs to a pecuniary penalty. To Dianet-Kan, Aureng-Zebe has intrusted the government of Kachemire, a little kingdom nearly inaccessible, and considered the terrestrial paradise of the Indies. Ekbar became possessed of that delightful country by stratagem. It boasts of authentic histories, in its own vernacular tongue, containing an interesting account of a long succession of ancient kings; sometimes so powerful as to have reduced to subjection the whole of Hindoustan, as far as the island of Ceylon. Of these histories Jehan-Guyre caused an abridgment to be made in the Persian language; and of this I procured a copy. — It is proper to mention in this place that Aureng-Zebe cashiered Nejabetkan, who greatly distinguished himself in the battles of Samonguer and Kadjoue; but he seems to have brought that disgrace upon himself by continually dwelling upon the services he had rendered the King. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.12) · Pramāṇa