Storia do Mogor 111.6

111.6

Aurangzeb received the letter of the governor of Surat, in which was given an account of these ambassadors [84] and their misfortunes at Surat. To tell the truth this — that is, being plundered by Shiva Ji — was the best thing that could have happened to secure them a reception at, and a favourable dispatch from, the court. On other conditions, seeing the few presents they brought, it would have been exceedingly difficult to obtain a royal audience. Often it is of profit to be in misery, and frequently do mishaps lead to good-fortune! These ambassadors, despoiled and almost naked, were very dirty and drinkers of jágra. This last is a kind of black sugar given to horses and elephants. It was chiefly the Armenian who was a great amateur of this beverage. They had no money to hire a house, but put up in the public saráe; and walked the streets, having no palanquin. When the Armenian met an acquaintance, he would draw from him some present to equip himself; and through dysentery caused by jágra, of which they drank so liberally, they lost several slaves.