Storia do Mogor 183.2

183.2

As soon as Shah 'Alam arrived, he sent an envoy to the viceroy as far as the river bank. On learning this, His Excellency ordered me to go and speak to this envoy, who was the brother of Sec Mahamed (Shekh Muhammad). I went to the spot, and while afar off I saluted him in the European fashion. But he, remaining seated in his palanquin, paid little or no heed to me, and, ignoring the politeness customary in India, which is to raise the hand to the head, he placed it on his breast, as usual among the Persians. This made me angry, and I declined to advance any farther. His example was not followed by the slaves and servants of Shah 'Alam; they knew how anxious their master was to retain me at his court. They all bowed to me with great respect. I did not neglect to say in a loud voice what seemed to me necessary against such a messenger, and, turning my back, cheerfully accosted my friends. All the same, I did not lose the words said by the envoy. They amounted to nothing more than that the Portuguese were under great obligations to Shah 'Alam, and they ought to commence at once to count out the millions they would have to give for having been delivered from Sambha Ji. Then spies went off to Shah 'Alam and told him that the viceroy had sent me to treat with the ambassador, and that the latter had failed to render me due honour.