Storia do Mogor 102.1

102.1

Some days after my arrival the Jesuit fathers came to visit me, and in course of conversation they said to me that they had a tiny church, and that only built of straw. They desired to construct one of stone, but the governor objected, although they were ready to pay him five thousand rupees. The governor was Mirzagol (? Mirza Gul or Mughal), an old man of Persian race, who had been in Shah Shuja's service when he fought the famous battle of Khajwah against Aurangzeb. He afterwards entered the service of Aurangzeb, and Mir Jumlah, who knew his prudence, made him governor of Hughli. This governor was determined that the Jesuit fathers should not build a church, and he issued orders that no one should work at such an edifice under penalty of losing a hand. The fathers begged me most earnestly to speak to Mirza Gul on this matter. To be of service to the fathers, I paid a visit to the governor, when we had a talk over the events in the recent wars, so that he took a fancy to me. He said to me that if he could be of use to me in any way he would do it willingly. Seeing an opening for carrying out the project of the fathers, who were with me, I explained to him, after many polite words, that I should be content if he would allow the fathers to build their church. This was the greatest favour that he could do for me. Then I presented to him their petition, which he granted on the spot.