[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 183 # Storia do Mogor 183: Arrival of Shāh 'Ālam close to Goa, and the Embassy to the Viceroy. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 183 - **Language:** English ### Arrival of Shāh 'Ālam close to Goa, and the Embassy to the Viceroy. ### [183.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183.1) Aurangzeb received the reply of the Goa viceroy, in which he promised to allow free passage up the river to his fleet coming from Surat with supplies for the army of his son, Shāh 'Ālam. The king ordered that prince to march with forty-five thousand horsemen in the direction of Goa, traversing the kingdom of Bijapur. His instructions were to capture the island of Goa by treachery, thus becoming able thereafter to invade easily the territories of Sambha Ji. On this march Shah 'Alam took several of Sambha Ji's forts, and arrived near Goa in time to deliver the island from the hands of that prince. It was already in great danger. Sambha Ji made every possible exertion to take it before Shah 'Alam arrived, but it did not happen according to his desire. Thus, on the arrival of the Mogul fleet, he was obliged to decamp; but before he disappeared he ordered the mortars in Santo Estevao to be charged, with the idea of bursting them, seeing that he could not carry them away. But in this he did not succeed, for only one of them burst; then, spiking the rest, he fled. ### [183.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.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. ### [183.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183.3) The prince was much put out, and in that man's place sent my friend, called Miraxam (Mir A'zam), with orders to conciliate me in every way. On his reaching the river bank I advanced to meet him, but he, having received different instructions from the first man, rose to his feet when he saw me, and coming towards me, embraced me. He told me the prince's orders were that he was to do whatever I might suggest, as he had no knowledge of the viceroy. Then he delivered to me a letter sent to me by the prince. In it he begged me to come to him, as he greatly desired to speak to me, and he trusted I would not refuse, having eaten the salt of his house. I did not wish to take him (the envoy) into Goa, so I escorted him to a little island called Ilha de Manoel de Mota. There I regaled him during the night. On the day following I conducted him to the viceroy, who was in the fortress of Santiago, near the mainland. There he presented Shah 'Alam's letter. It began by requesting that Hakim Niculao, his old servant, should be sent to him. As soon as he arrived they would arrange things to the satisfaction of both sides. Next it stated how, in conformity with the letter of the viceroy sent to the great Aurangzeb, permission was given for the entry into the river of the ships carrying supplies for the army sent against Sambha Ji. Yet the fleet in question had not arrived. Fulfilment of the promise was now requested. ### [183.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183.4) The viceroy replied that he would certainly carry out what he had promised, but the route taken must be by the other river, that of Bardes, not by that of Goa. But the envoy persisted in his demand that they wanted to pass through the river of Goa, as had been promised to His Majesty. Finally, the viceroy answered that I would go to His Highness, and that there matters would be settled. ### [183.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183.5) During the discussion the king's fleet, which was at the harbour mouth, continued to advance. When a report of this reached the viceroy, I said to Dom Rodrigo da Costa that now was the time for a display of courage and energy. Therefore, without any delay, the fleet ought to be fired upon. He hurried to the spot, where he found that, by the carelessness of the commandant of Aguada \[218\], some five-and-twenty galliots had already entered, and were close to the Fort of the Kings. When he arrived he ordered at once the discharge of three loaded cannon, to intimidate them and cause their retirement. They replied that they were friends, and had come under protection of the viceroy's promise; they should therefore stop firing, as that was not the way to receive friends. When the Aguada fort became aware that the Fort of the Kings declined to allow a passage, it, too, fired several times, in order to prevent the remainder of the fleet which was following from completing its purpose. Thus was Goa saved this time, for without a doubt it would have been lost had the fleet entered. The twenty-five galliots which were already inside took refuge behind the Fort of the Kings in a river which is called Nelur. Here they remained until the receipt of fresh orders from Shah 'Alam. They plundered along the shore, and carried off any goods and women or girls found there. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.183) · Pramāṇa