Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 4.2.8

4.2.8

Third. It is the King's policy to foment jealousy and discord amongst the Rajas, and by caressing and favouring some more than others, he often succeeds, when desirous of doing so, in kindling wars among them. Fourth. They are always at hand to be employed against the Patans, or against any rebellious Omrah or governor. Fifth. Whenever the King of Golkonda withholds his tribute, or evinces an inclination to defend the King of Visapour or any neighbouring Raja whom the Mogol wishes to despoil or render tributary, Rajas are sent against him in preference to Omrahs, who being for the most part Persians, are not of the same religion as the Mogol, to wit Sounnys, but Chias, as are the Kings of Persia and Golkonda. Sixth. The Mogol never finds the Rajas more useful than when he is engaged in hostility with the Persians. His Omrahs, as I have just remarked, are generally of that nation, and shudder at the idea of fighting against their natural King ; especially because they acknowledge him as their Imam, their Calife or sovereign pontiff, and the descendant of Aly, to bear arms against whom they therefore consider a great crime. The Mogol is also compelled to engage Patans in his service by reasons very similar to those I have assigned for employing ragipous.