Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 3.6.5

3.6.5

I rather incline to the opinion entertained by the best informed, that Persia is not in a condition to act aggressively against such an empire as Hindoustan. She will have enough to do to retain Kan-daher, in the direction of Hindoustan, and preserve the integrity of her frontier towards Turkey. The wealth and strength of that nation are accurately estimated. Her throne is not always filled by a Chah-Abas, a Sovereign intrepid, enlightened, and politic; capable of turning every occurrence to his benefit, and of accomplishing great designs with small means. If her government meditate any enterprise against Hindoustan, and be animated, as is given out, by these sentiments of regard for Chah-Jehan and the Musulman faith, who can explain why, during the late civil wars, which lasted so long in Hindoustan, she remained a quiet and apparently an unconcerned spectator of the scene? She was unmoved by the entreaties of Dara, of Chah-Jehan, of Sultan Sujah, and perhaps of the Governor of Caboul; although she might, with a comparatively small army, and at an inconsiderable expense, have gained possession of the fairest part of Hindoustan, from the kingdom of Caboul to the banks of the Indus, and even beyond that river; thus constituting herself the arbitress of every dispute.