Storia do Mogor 214: Deli (Dihli).
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 214
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Deli (Dihli).
214.1
The province of Dihli is in the middle of the empire. Its capital bears the same name, and it is in this town that the Mogul ordinarily dwells and keeps his court. For it was in this place that of old the powerful Hindu kings resided; also the Chinese governors, and the thirty and one Pathan kings who reigned; and divers other potentates, such as the Sayyids and the Rajputs; and, finally, all the Mahomedan rulers. Although it is the seat of the principal court, there are not many manufactures. But its territory is fertile in grain, from which is collected the amount I have recorded. You can see still up to this day round the town several ancient edifices built by the Chinese, by Hindu princes and Pathan kings. There is even a town called Tocklabad (Tughlaqabad), built by the ninth Pathan king. The greater part of it still stands. This prince, called Chatoclug (Shah Tughlaq), reigned nine years and nine days. He died when entering one of the gates of the said town, through the treachery of his son perpetrated at that place. The son had expressly prepared a trap, which fell upon the poor man and took his life. It is for this reason and others similar that these kings have not the slightest trust in their children.
214.2
There are also in this province other ruined cities, where the Mahomedans sometimes resort out of piety. For example, there is one where there is a pretended saint buried that they call Coja Catobdin (Khwajah Qutb-ud-din), and in another of them close by there is another similar saint called Sultan Machac (Sultan-ul-mushaikh). I have noticed at these places that many tricks are resorted to as excitements to the devotion of the superstitious. Ordinarily the king keeps fifty thousand horse in garrison besides those in movement every day, an almost equal number. He has twenty thousand infantry, all Rajputs: out of them twelve thousand are in charge of the artillery; the rest are for guarding the royal palace, mounting sentry, et cetera. As regards the royal establishment, there is an officer styled Daroga Do Cossa Choqui (Ddroghah of the Khas Chauki) — that is, 'officer of the chosen sentinels'; the reason is that the company to which this name is given are all picked men, and of the noblest families. Ordinarily they number four thousand horsemen. This officer has charge of the Gousal-cana (Ghusal-khanah).
214.3
Under his orders are some slave officers with their men, who are called Cheala (Chelah) — that is, 'branded.' There is another officer at the head of five hundred halberdiers, who carry golden maces ; their pay ranges from three hundred up to one thousand rupees a month, according to the class they are in. They are employed for sending messages to princes and for other business of importance. Again, there is an officer who commands one thousand halberdiers with silver maces. These, too, are mansabdārs, and their pay is from two hundred up to five hundred rupees a month. Their duty is to carry letters and orders to the generals and captains. These men also attend at the reception of ambassadors and other business of less importance. There is still another officer set over two thousand mansabdars with iron maces, who have the same pay as soldiers. They are used for the lowest affairs and business.
214.4
These three orders of mace-bearers also add to the pomp and parade when the king holds audience. They are in addition to the other soldiers who are posted all round the royal courtyard. On such occasions there are nine elephants highly caparisoned and decorated, followed each by ten others, male and female. The nine chief elephants remain until the end of the audience ; the others that accompany them, after making their obeisance, withdraw. Besides the elephants there are nine horses saddled and fitted with beautiful trappings. During the reign of Shahjahan the retinue was as large again. Especially was this seen after any prince had left that emperor's court, taking with him as many as two hundred thousand men. Yet it seemed as if not a single person had gone away. This town lies near thirty-one degrees forty-five minutes of latitude, and one hundred and twenty-three of longitude. Once a week all the inhabitants, great and small, are obliged to attend and mount guard outside and inside the fortress. When anyone quits the service he has to give up two months' pay before getting his discharge. As for the rest of what is due to these men, it is made over to them in old clothes, and even these are valued at high rates, and are obtained with the greatest difficulty.