Storia do Mogor 119: Returns to Jai Singh's Campaign in the Dakhin.
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 119
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Returns to Jai Singh's Campaign in the Dakhin.
119.1
While this embassy [to Persia] was in progress, we were marching onwards to the city of Aurangabad, on reaching which we joined Shah 'Alam. Sending for me, Rajah Jai Singh ordered me to go as envoy to three rajahs — that is to say, Ramanagar (Ramnagar), Pentt (Pent), and Chottia (Chiutia), who are petty rajahs among the Hindus, and the Portuguese call them kings of the Colles (? Kolls). It was through their lands that Shiva Ji passed on his way to attack Surat. Rajah Jai Singh gave me a set of robes and a horse, and sent with me thirty troopers and some infantry ; also a considerable sum for expenses. My orders were to go to these rajahs, and tell them they must give their word not to [100] take the side of Shiva Ji, nor allow him passage. He (Jai Singh) must declare war against them in the name of the Mogul emperor, if they did not take up arms against Shiva Ji and embrace the cause of Aurangzeb. As security for their promise they must come in themselves or send their sons to attend on the court, where they would be assigned pay and rank befitting their condition.
119.2
I took my departure on this deputation, and the first person I visited was the Rajah of Ramanagar, whose territories lie amidst frightful hills and gloomy forests. I was well received by this rajah, who invited me to take a rest while he deliberated on what he thought it was best to do. I amused myself meanwhile, going out to shoot and fish ; nor did the rajah fail in providing pastimes in the nature of plays and games. Meanwhile he was corresponding with the other two rajahs, whether they thought it suited them to take the Mogul side against Shiva Ji. I was not backward in making promises and using threats, according as I considered it appropriate. Sometimes I put myself into a passion and demanded an answer, else I would be off. In the end the rajah chose the side of Aurangzeb, giving me a horse and a sword. He made over to me his son in confirmation of his word. I then went to the second rajah, where I was received in a friendly manner, and treated just as I had been at the first place. He petitioned for time, feigning that he had not had time to write to the others. Here I received many honours according to their custom — dances, plays, and the chase. Finally, he, too, gave me a horse and a sword, and delivered to me his son to be conducted to court. But this tall and robust young man died on the journey by reason of the great heat of the sun, which inflamed his blood. He would not agree to be bled, as I counselled, he not trusting in me.
119.3
Next I proceeded to the third rajah, who showed himself recalcitrant. But finding I was determined, he set to work to conciliate me. Not having any sons, he made over to me his brother to be taken to court with me; he then bestowed on me a sword and a horse, and bade me farewell. It happened that at this time he was fighting the Portuguese of Damao (Daman), so I arranged matters and persuaded them to make peace.
119.4
Here two things happened to me that I wish to recount, so that inquiring persons may learn that these people are much given to sorcery. I had a handsome horse that Rajah Jai Singh had given me. The Rajah of Chottia (Chiutia) took a fancy to this horse, and requested me to sell it to him; he would pay me one thousand rupees. I was not willing, but when it was time for my departure the horse had lost the use of its legs, and was unable to move. I waited for eight days without any good, when the rajah sent me word that, though the horse was damaged, he would still give me one thousand rupees. In a rage, I started from the place, telling my people that if within twenty-four hours the horse could not move, to cut his throat and bring the hide to me. Finding me so resolute, the rajah sent me one thousand two hundred rupees, beseeching me not to order the horse's throat to be cut, but to content myself with this present, and he would keep the horse in remembrance of me. I contented myself with taking the twelve hundred rupees, knowing quite well that if I did not, I should lose both horse and rupees.
119.5
Another affair happened to me in this return journey to the camp with the hostages. It was this : One of my servants, passing through a field of radishes, stretched out his hand to pluck one out of the ground, when his hand adhered in such a fashion to the radish that he could not take it away. It was necessary to find the owner of the field to get him liberated. This was done, and after taking something as a bribe and giving him a beating, the owner recited some words and the man was freed. I could never sufficiently state to what an extent the Hindus and the Mahomedans in India are in the habit of practising witchcraft. I quite well know that if I were to recount that they can even make a cock crow in the belly of the man who stole and ate it, no credit would be given to me. Nevertheless, the truth is that many a time I heard the crowing in different cases, and of such instances I was told over and over again.
119.6
As for the spells practised by the women to bring young men under their control, they are infinite. Of such a nature are they that any such youth becomes mad, nor is he given any respite to think of anything else. This subject I postpone to the Third Part of my History (III. 248-265). Let this serve as a warning to our Europeans who intend to travel in India, so that they may not allow their liberty to be taken from them, for afterwards they will weep over their unhappy, irremediable state. It happens often to one so bound by spells that after his lady-love has died he cannot endure the approach of any other woman, remaining ever overcome by sorrow for the defunct [102]. I have not much to say about the lands through which I passed. For they are not of great excellence or productiveness. They are, as I said, full of hills and rocks, and very difficult for fighting in. The habits of these people are barbarous, their features ugly, and complexion black; they go almost naked, having only a simple cloth, which at times is insufficient to hide their shame. Among the hills aforesaid are many tigers and other ferocious animals. It happened to me in this journey that an unknown dog attached itself to us, and served me as a guide in crossing streams. One night it was sleeping near me in these forests, when a tiger came and carried it off.