Storia do Mogor 211.7
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 211.7
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211.7.1
The physician of whom I have spoken had a daughter, who became with child, and at the term she failed to be delivered and was in danger of death. Neither the father nor the other doctors could relieve her. They called in the cleverest and the most experienced in their profession. They even made use of sorcerers. Yet neither the one set nor the other could do anything to relieve her. At last they were forced to come to me; embracing me and flattering me, the father begged me to succour his daughter if it were in my power. At once I informed him of a very easy treatment, which was to anoint her navel. This brought on her accouchement at once. He afterwards asked me the secret, and I taught it to him, telling him at the same time that my religion commanded me to do good to everyone, even to my enemies ; how much more, then, to him (this by way of a compliment), to whom I was under an obligation ?
211.7.2
It was by this application that he conducted the accouchement of Prince Kam Bakhsh's wife, whereat the said prince and his father, Aurangzeb, were so grateful to him that they made him many presents of great value, without, however, his acknowledging in the very least the benefit I had secured to him. Instead of being thankful to me for it, he sought means to take my life. It was he who advised one of his friends called Mir 'Adil, the criminal judge, to assert to the prince that I vomited forth curses on the prophet Muhammad, a crime for which the only penalty was death. But the prince knew me, and had a friendly feeling for me. He perceived plainly that all this was only jealousy, and he answered that the information was wrong, and that he himself would go surety for my innocence. In this way my enemies gained only confusion from their accusation, and eight days afterwards Mir 'Adil lost his office. But as I saw myself every day pursued and persecuted, and there were also other reasons, I resolved to quit the Mogul territory.
211.7.3
It is not the practice among these princes for nobles to have converse with the favourites and servants of other princes, for fear they may spin some web of treason. If it is ever the case, it is always with the permission of their master. It happened that Diler Khan fell ill ; he was Shah 'Alam's enemy, yet he sent for me to prescribe for him. He knew of the prohibitions on the subject ; he sent word that if I went to his house, it would afford a good opening for him to become friends with the prince. He would be always ready to assist him with all the cavalry under his command on any and every occasion that might arise. As I knew the custom of the court and the scurvy tricks of the Mahomedans, I informed the prince of this affair, and pointed out to him that Diler Khan had sent for me. Hardly were the words out of my mouth when his face began to flush, and he asked me very hastily whether I wanted to go there. To that I replied with a smiling face that, if I was anxious to go there, it was only to see the state he was in — whether he would live or die, so that I might make my report to His Highness. These words appeased him, and he forbade me to go. Diler Khan died, and it was found to be from poison administered by his son-in-law, Azil Can, and by one of the prince's commanders.
211.7.4
I have stated that it is usual for Mogul princes to rear only four of their sons. Nevertheless, Shah 'Alam, by a very special grace from the king, has five. It happened that one of his wives — the one he loved best — was with child. Her name was Nur-un-nissa Begam. Aware that Aurangzeb would never consent to let her offspring live, she took drugs to procure abortion. What she had taken produced no effect, and in her husband's presence she asked me for drugs for that purpose. I betrayed my astonishment, and said to her that I felt persuaded His Highness kept me in his service for the preservation and not the destruction of human beings. Such a thing was no part of my business. They rejoined that they took on themselves the penalty. To that, after alleging further reasons to dissuade them from this evil course, among others what is written in the Gospel — that he who kills by the sword shall perish by the sword — and having held forth a long time on the subject, in the end I persuaded them to allow the innocent thing to live. The child lived some year and a half, when the unnatural monarch caused him to be secretly poisoned. If they did not procure an abortion, it was because they dreaded to hazard the life of the mother, as they wrote it.
211.7.5
It was at about this time that Sultan Mu'izz-ud-din conceived a raging jealousy against his wife, for reasons that I cannot state. She was the most lovely and perfectly formed creature of all those in the mahal. This is why he poisoned her with his own hands in some betel he gave her. The mother of the princess, seeing her in this sad state, begged me to aid her and give her medicine. This I did in secret, and she escaped; but again he gave her poison on three occasions, while I continued to give her antidotes. Sultan Mu'izz-ud-din, having learnt this, refused to see me. At last he found his opportunity. He was sent to govern at Burhanpur, while his father, Shah 'Alam, continued at Aurangabad, and I with him. Again he gave her poison. Then her mother wrote to Shah 'Alam that if he wanted her daughter to recover, he must send me in the greatest haste. The prince replied to this that there was no necessity to send me; they could employ the other doctors, who were then present with the princess. But before the reply arrived she was dead. After this tragic occurrence, Mu'izz-ud-din became my friend again as formerly, and showed me much affection.
211.7.6
There was also a concubine in the palace of Shah 'Alam who fell ill; she had taken various purges given by the Persian physicians without any of them affording the least relief. Her abdomen was much distended, and she was in risk of death. I was ordered to treat her. I began by sending her an enema with a view to an evacuation. I gave directions how it was to be used, as they do not have recourse to these in India. The implement was wrapped round with a towel sealed with my seal. The doorkeepers and eunuchs seeing this strange thing, and not knowing what was to be done with it, carried it straight to the chief eunuch, and said it was I who had sent it. He was just as surprised as the others, having no idea what it was, and sent for me to inquire the use of such an instrument. I made him understand what it was and for whom it was prepared. Thereupon he directed my orders to be at once obeyed. As I detected that they did not trust me, I petitioned the prince, showing that it was inexpedient for me to serve longer at a court where I was mistrusted. Obtaining the particulars of the affair, he ordered everything bearing my seal to be admitted.
211.7.7
This prince (Shah 'Alam) is naturally affable and benign ; and since I know him well, I am of opinion that, should he become king, he would do no harm to anyone. There is much difference between his temperament and that of his father. One day when he was out hunting in the country of Kabul, he was forced to take shelter in a shepherd's hut, owing to the rain. While there a very pretty girl appeared before him ; it was the shepherd's daughter. To amuse himself, he asked if she was willing to marry him. The young person, without knowing to whom she spoke, answered that there was no scarcity of fair men whom she could marry, rather than take him, who was dark. He laughed heartily at the answer ; but the eunuchs present wanted to beat her, which he strenuously forbade [49]. Then he asked her if she would be content to espouse a fair young man then present, one of the prince's slaves. She assented cordially. This marriage gave her access to the palace, and she was much liked by the prince.
211.7.8
Among the slaves of the princes are some who are gentlemen soldiers and hold good positions. Some are purchased, others offer themselves to serve in that station. The woman spoken of above fell ill of an intestinal complaint which no one could overcome. In the end I was directed to treat her ; and, discovering that drugs did her no good, I came to the conclusion that a ring of red-hot iron would be most effective. Accordingly I applied one upon her navel. It began to set in motion the contents of her bowels, and without any other remedy they passed away. I believe this remedy would be of benefit to those attacked by colic and iliac passion (obstruction of the bowels) when in extremity, and thereby often save life. From what I have said above, I imagine that the reader will have understood the policy with which these kings and princes conduct themselves. He can also see what remains for me to say. For, although I may have omitted several things, I have yet mentioned enough to give a complete acquaintance with this vast empire.