[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) › 3.2 # Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.2 Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 3.2 - **Language:** English ### [3.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.1) The ambassadors from Tartary were still in Dehli, when Aureng-Zebe was seized with a dangerous illness. He was frequently delirious from the violence of the fever, and his tongue became so palsied that he could scarcely articulate. The physicians despaired of his recovery, and it was generally believed he was dead, though the event was concealed by Rauchenara-Begum from interested motives. It was even rumoured that the Raja Jessomseingue, governor of Guzarate, was advancing to release Chah-Jehan from captivity; that Mohabet-kan, who had at length acknowledged Aureng-Zebe's authority, had quitted the government of Kaboul, passed already through Lahor, and was rapidly marching on Agra, at the head of three or four thousand horse, with the same intention; and that the eunuch Etbar-kan, under whose custody the aged monarch was placed, felt impatient for the honour of opening the door of his prison. On the one hand, Sultan Masum intrigued with the Omrahs, and endeavoured by bribes and promises to attach them to his interest. He even went one night in disguise to the Raja Jesseingue, and entreated him, in the most respectful and humble language, to declare in his favour. On the other hand, a party formed by Rauchenara-Begum was supported by several Omrahs and Feday-kan, grand master of the artillery, in behalf of the young Prince, Sultan Ekbar, the third son of Aureng-Zebe, a boy only seven or eight years of age. ### [3.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.2) It was pretended by both these parties, and believed by the people, that the sole object they had in view was to set Chah-Jehan at liberty; but this was merely for the sake of gaining popularity, and to save appearances, in case he should be liberated by Etbar, or by means of any secret intrigues on the part of other grandees. There was in fact scarcely a person of rank or influence who entertained the wish of seeing Chah-Jehan restored to the throne. With the exception, perhaps, of Jessomseingue, Mohabet-kan, and a few others who had hitherto refrained from acting flagrantly against him, there was no Omrah who had not basely abandoned the cause of the legitimate Monarch, and taken an active part in favour of Aureng-Zebe. They were aware that to open his prison door would be to unchain an enraged lion. The possibility of such an event appalled the courtiers, and no one dreaded it more than Etbar, who had behaved to his wretched victim with unnecessary rudeness and severity. But Aureng-Zebe, notwithstanding his serious indisposition, continued to occupy his mind with the affairs of government, and the safe custody of his father. He earnestly advised Sultan Mazum, in the event of his death, to release the King from confinement; but he was constantly dictating letters to Etbar-kan, urging him to the faithful and rigid discharge of his duty; ### [3.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.3) and on the fifth day of his illness, during the crisis of the disorder, he caused himself to be carried into the assembly of the Omrahs, for the purpose of undeceiving those who might believe he was dead, and of preventing a public tumult, or any accident by which Chah-Jehan might effect his escape. The same reasons induced him to visit that assembly on the seventh, ninth, and tenth days; and, what appears almost incredible, on the thirteenth day, when scarcely recovered from a swoon so deep and long that his death was generally reported, he sent for the Raja Jesseingue, and two or three of the principal Omrahs, for the purpose of verifying his existence. He then desired the attendants to raise him in the bed; called for paper and ink that he might write to Etbar-kan, and despatched a messenger for the Great Seal, which was placed under Rauchenara-Begum's care, enclosed in a small bag, which was impressed with a signet which he always kept fastened to his arm; wishing to satisfy himself that the Princess had not made use of this instrument to promote any sinister design. I was present when my Agah became acquainted with all these particulars, and heard him exclaim, 'What strength of mind! What invincible courage! Heaven reserve thee, Aureng-Zebe, for greater achievements! Thou art not yet destined to die.' And indeed after this fit the King improved gradually in health. ### [3.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.4) As soon as Aureng-Zebe became convalescent, he endeavoured to withdraw Dara's daughter from the hands of Chah-Jehan and Begum-Saheb, with the design of giving her in marriage to his third son, Sultan Ekbar. This is the son, whom, it is supposed, he intends for his successor, and such an alliance would strengthen Ekbar's authority and ensure his right to the throne. He is very young, but has several near and powerful relations at court, and being born of Chah-Nawaze-kan's daughter, is descended from the ancient sovereigns of Maschate. The mothers of Sultan Mahmoud and Sultan Mazum were only Ragipoutnys, or daughters of Rajas; for although these Kings are Mahometans, they do not scruple to marry into heathen families, when such a measure may promote their interests, or when they may thus obtain a beautiful wife. But Aureng-Zebe was frustrated in his intention. Chah-Jehan and Begum-Saheb rejected the proposition with disdain, and the young Princess herself manifested the utmost repugnance to the marriage. She remained inconsolable during many days from an apprehension that she might be forcibly taken away, declaring it was her firm purpose to die by her own hand rather than be united to the son of him who murdered her father. ### [3.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.5) He was equally unsuccessful in his demand on Chah-Jehan for certain jewels with which he was desirous of completing a piece of workmanship that he was adding to the celebrated throne, so universally the object of admiration. The captive Monarch indignantly answered that Aureng-Zebe should be careful only to govern the kingdom with more wisdom and equity: he commanded him not to meddle with the throne; and declared that he would be no more plagued about these jewels, for that hammers were provided to beat them into powder the next time he should be importuned upon the subject. ### [3.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.6) The Hollanders would not be the last to present Aureng-Zebe with the Mohbarec. They determined to send an ambassador to him, and made choice of Monsieur Adrican, chief of their factory at Sourate. This individual possesses integrity, abilities, and sound judgment; and as he does not disdain the advice offered by the wise and experienced, it is not surprising that he acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his countrymen. Although in his general deportment Aureng-Zebe be remarkably high and unbending, affects the appearance of a zealous Mahometan, and consequently despises Franks or Christians, yet upon the occasion of this embassy, his behaviour was most courteous and condescending. He even expressed a desire that Monsieur Adrican, after that gentleman had performed the Indian ceremony of the Salaam, should approach and salute him à la Frank. The King, it is true, received the letters through the medium of an Omrah, but this could not be considered a mark of disrespect, since he had done the same thing in regard to the letters brought by the Usbec ambassadors. ### [3.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.7) The preliminary observances being over, Aureng-Zebe intimated that the ambassador might produce his presents; at the same time investing him, and a few gentlemen in his suite, with a Ser-Apah of brocade. The presents consisted of a quantity of very fine broad cloths, scarlet and green; some large looking-glasses; and several articles of Chinese and Japan workmanship; among which were a palky and a Tack-ravan, or travelling throne, of exquisite beauty, and much admired. The Great Mogol is in the habit of detaining all ambassadors as long as can reasonably be done, from an idea that it is becoming his grandeur and power, to receive the homage of foreigners, and to number them among the attendants of his court. Monsieur Adrican was not dismissed, therefore, so expeditiously as he wished, though much sooner than the ambassadors from Tartary. His secretary died, and the other individuals in his retinue were falling sick, when Aureng-Zebe granted him permission to depart. On taking leave the King again presented him with a Ser-Apah of brocade for his own use, and another very rich one for the governor of Batavia, together with a dagger set with jewels; the whole accompanied by a very gracious letter. ### [3.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2.8) The chief aim of the Hollanders in this embassy was to ingratiate themselves with the Mogol, and to impart to him some knowledge of their nation, in order that a beneficial influence might thus be produced upon the minds of the governors of sea-ports, and other places, where they have established factories. They hoped that those governors would be restrained from offering insult, and obstructing their commerce, by the consideration that they belonged to a powerful State, that they could obtain immediate access to the King of the Indies to induce him to listen to their complaints, and to redress their grievances. They endeavoured also to impress the government with an opinion that their traffic with Hindoustan was most advantageous to that kingdom; exhibiting a long list of articles purchased by their countrymen, from which they showed that the gold and silver brought by them every year into the Indies amounted to a considerable sum: but they kept out of sight the amount of those precious metals extracted by their constant importations of copper, lead, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, aloes-wood, elephants, and other merchandise. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.bernier~en-constable.3.2) · Pramāṇa