Storia do Mogor 145: The King of Kashghar.
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 145
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The King of Kashghar.
145.1
There arrived in Hindustan in this year a king of Tartary, who came in person to sue for help from the greatness of Aurangzeb. This was the King of Kashghar, a very old man with a few hairs of a beard, such as have the greater number of Chinese, a man of fair complexion. He had been obliged to flee from his country owing to the rebellion of his son, who had usurped his throne. At his reception Aurangzeb made a display of his grandeur, and sent out Ja'far Khan (of whom we have spoken) along with other noble persons of the court, and a number of cavalry to meet and escort him. They attended him into the city, and conducted him to the mansion of Rustam Khan, Dakhinl. The court was much troubled about the form of receiving this king. For Aurangzeb did not wish to break Akbar's rule of not allowing a seat in his presence to anyone but his sons. On the other hand, the world would find an opening for accusing Aurangzeb of overweening pride if he gave no seat in his presence to this king. For although evil fortune had forced him to quit his territories, he did not thereby cease to be of a royal line, into which in other times the Mogul kings had married their sons and their daughters.
145.2
Aurangzeb, who in certain matters was unwilling that the world should feel aggrieved at his acts, was very much perplexed about the way he ought to receive the fugitive king. Finally he came to the conclusion to receive him in the mosque, where, all being seated, it would be no dishonour for the king to have the King of Kashghar seated in his presence. It is the custom of Mahomedans on ending their prayers to turn the head to the right and to the left, saying twice, 'As-salam 'alaikum,' saluting as it were the angels, and giving them thanks for the support given to their prayers. For they assert that everyone [147] has two angels at his side, and thus they make the salutation twice. This was another piece of finesse on Aurangzeb's part, who made the salute to the angels serve as a polite salutation to the guest; for, turning to say the 'As-salam 'alaikum,' he became aware that the King of Kashghar was present in the mosque a little behind him. The other responded with the same words, when Aurangzeb turned entirely round to him; the King of Kashghar did the same, and thus the conversation began. In this manner the interview came off without prejudice to either of them. On finishing their talk, each retired to his own palace, nor did these two kings ever meet save in the mosque. The reason assigned was that in God's house there is neither high nor low, and thus they could pay and receive visits there without any derogation of their dignity.
145.3
A curious thing happened to Aurangzeb. Going through the street which goes straight from the mosque to the fort, he passed close to a shop where a faqir was seated who had formerly been a disciple of the same teacher, Mulla Salih. On seeing the king pass, the faqir discharged at him a potful of human excrement, which defiled his throne and his body. At the same time the faqir uttered a cry. Let not the reader be amazed at such boldness, for it is quite impossible to set forth completely the irreverence of these faqirs, of whom I have already spoken in my First Part (I. 93). They act thus in full confidence that no one will dare to ill-treat them ; above all, Aurangzeb could not do so, professing himself to be a faqir. The king sat quite still, only ordering them to arrest the faqir, and afterwards he sent for the man to his presence. The king asked him why he had so affronted him, and the faqir replied that he did it because he, being now a king, had forgotten his co-disciples, and himself fared most sumptuously, while those poor wretches suffered in poverty. Aurangzeb answered that there was no room for him to complain, it being God's decree that one should be exalted and another left in want; and the very same God, if he chose, could reverse the positions. Thus the faqir was sent about his business and received nothing.
145.4
Aurangzeb made no stint of politenesses and concessions to the King of Kashghar during his stay in Dihli, and as a spectacle sent six [148] elephants to fight before him. This was something new for this king, who had never seen elephants nor their combats. In order that he might see this sport, he was brought to the same palace [as Aurangzeb], but not to the same seat ; on the contrary, he was placed at a great distance from it. On learning that he wished to proceed to Mecca, Aurangzeb sent him some handsome horses, which were killed by this barbarous king and eaten during his journey from Dihli to Surat. This act offended Aurangzeb to some extent. The King of Kashghar reached Surat, where the governor received him with great honour, in compliance with orders from court. He was provided with a ship, and then started for Mecca. On the voyage a curious thing occurred, by which the King of Kashghar was offended. It happened that a European let wind, whereupon the king complained to the captain, who was also a European, that his pilgrimage had been interfered with. This sufficed to make all the crew, whenever they felt troubled in the same way, to pass close to the king's cabin to give him a salute. Owing to this trouble, when he returned to Dilhi, he lodged a complaint, but no one would listen to his grievance; everyone treated the matter as foolishness, and he lived on in Dilhi for some time and died there.