Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.13.3

3.13.3

I forgot to mention that during the pillage of Sourate, Seva-Gi, the Holy Seva-Gi! respected the habitation of the Reverend Father Ambrose, the Capuchin missionary. 'The Frankish Padrys are good men,' he said, 'and shall not be molested.' He spared also the house of a deceased Delale or Gentile broker, of the Dutch, because assured that he had been very charitable while alive. The dwellings of the English and Dutch likewise escaped his visits, not in consequence of any reverential feeling on his part, but because those people had displayed a great deal of resolution, and defended themselves well. The English especially, assisted by the crews of their vessels, performed wonders, and saved not only their own houses, but those of their neighbours. a native of Constantinople, astonished everybody. Seva-Gi knew that he was in possession of most valuable rubies, which he intended to sell to Aureng-Zebe; but he persevered in stoutly denying the fact, although three times placed on his knees to receive the stroke of a sword flourished over his head. This conduct was worthy of a Jew, whose love of money generally exceeds his love of life. Aureng-Zebe prevailed with Jesseingue to take the command of the army in the Decan, attended by Sultan Mazum, who, however, was not invested with any authority. The Raja's first operation was vigorously to attack Seva-Gi's principal fortress;