Storia do Mogor 238.1
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 238.1
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238.1.1
Chevan (Chauhan), Pavar (Panwar), Badorie (Bhadauriyah), Bandare (? Bandhalgoti), Rambanci (Ram-bansi), Bach Gor (Bachhgaur), Botia (Bhurtiyah), Chandrahot (Chandrawat), Chasfadele (? Chandel), Benofal (Banaphar), Solancy (Solankhi), Saran Brancy (Surajbansi), Sumbanci (Sombansi), Jodo Bansy (Jadubansi), Metuvar. All these names are Hindu. The other rajahs' states, which remain unmentioned, are somewhat less powerful than these, and the other fifty are even less so than these last. Three of these rajahs became Mahomedans owing to the great promises made to them by Aurangzeb. But after they had been circumcised he seized their territories, and has given them the title of ' noble ' in his kingdom ; but with it he leaves [62] them very little to live upon. All that he has given them is some offices in his household. To one he gave the superintendence of the store-house (Almazem) — that is, the man who supervises the making of carpets for use in the royal household. Another he has placed over the goldsmiths and enamellers, who work at jewellery for the royal palace. The last received the appointment of charge over the perfumes and essences. This last man was a great friend of mine, and in secret was a drinker of wine. I have often heard his complaints, repenting of what he had done, saying he had turned himself into one of the king's slaves.
238.1.2
These three are not given any power by the king for fear that they might recant and return to Hinduism, and raise a revolt against the crown. This is what happened to Fida,e Khan when he was governor of Allahabad. He deceived a rajah by promises of making him a greater man than before. But when he was in his power, he kept him a prisoner and carried him away to the city of Lahor, and there forced him to become a Mahomedan, ordering him to receive weekly one hundred strokes with a whip. The rajah, unable to stand this torture, fell ill, and I treated him for the illness and cured him without any charge. Afterwards I lent him one hundred and ten rupees, which he employed in his journey. For immediately afterwards he took to flight and sought shelter in his own country, and returned to Hinduism. Then he began incursions upon the king's territory, and plundered as much as he could. He was, however, ungrateful so far as I was concerned, for he never recalled to mind the good turn I had done him. Usually these rajahs have such names as the following : Quesor Sing Kesar Singh Yellow Lion Bau Sing Bhao Singh Wishing to be a Lion Gueret Sing Kirat Singh Lion's Beauty Guesen Sing Kishan Singh Black Lion Bessen Sing Bishan Singh Lion's Whelp Bim Sing Bhim Singh Lion's Strength Caliam Sing Kaliyan Singh Lively Lion Dal Sing Dal Singh Lion's Army Sajan Sing Sujan Singh Experienced Lion Bam Sing Ram Singh God's Lion Dalian Sing Daliyan Singh Adverse to Lions
238.1.3
The others call themselves the lions of different idols. On the whole, it may be said of these rajahs that they are modest men and religious, keepers of their word ; in that being very different from the Mahomedans [63], who treat as a joke the deception of other men in every possible way. The greater number of these rajahs dwell in the plains, where their lands bring them in many sorts of supplies. The land is cultivated by their vassals or subjects, who are called Rajputs — that is, ' rajah's son.' They have no other occupation, knowing nothing but how to till the soil or take a part in warfare. For this reason the rajahs pay them only in land, which is given for them to cultivate as a means of subsistence, on condition that they keep horses and be ready to go out to fight when they are called upon. When they have assembled, the rajah joins them ; then, at the end of a twelvemonth, fresh men arrive from their home country, and the first levy returns home. They all conduct themselves in one manner. They all eat opium, and on the day of battle they swallow a double dose. They also give some to their horses to enable them to endure fatigue. They dress in yellow, dyeing their clothes that colour with saffron. Many of them wear gold armlets, so that, if killed, those finding the body may see to its cremation. The greater number are spearmen.
238.1.4
When they draw near to the enemy, their musicians begin to sing songs in a loud voice, with a violin accompaniment, in praise of their courage. These musicians are also on horseback and well armed, all drunk with opium, their eyes flaming and red. In place of saying that they will slay, they say Me mariche — that is, ' We mean to die.' Then, grasping their lances firmly, they throw themselves on the enemy like madmen. If by mischance the spear is broken, they draw the cattane (? kaftan, or dagger), and blindly cut and stab at all they meet and never retreat, so that they either conquer or lose their lives. I have sometimes seen some of them so impatient that, on hearing the violins strike up, though the enemy was still far off, they rode out of their squadron, and, putting their horses to their full speed, galloped like madmen into the middle of the foemen, and there sacrificed their lives. When they till the ground they always hold their spear ; and in the midst of the fields they are never without sword, shield, and dagger at their side. Thus equipped, they lay hold of their plough and urge on their oxen.
238.1.5
There are other rajahs who live in mountains to the north, about one hundred leagues or so distant from the cities of Lahor and Dihll. These mountains are on the boundaries of China, and in this expanse of country there are many rajahs, and the lands of some of them adjoin the Mogul realm and even pay him tribute. The chief of them is the Rajah of Serinaguey (Srinagar in Garhwal), although he pays no tribute, because his country is so strong and inaccessible. This is the man who cut off the noses of Shahjahan's army (I. 147), and gave shelter to the prince Sultan Sulaiman Shukoh, as told in my First Part (I. 277).
238.1.6
Near Kashmir there are several other rajahs, of whom some also pay tribute ; but frequently they refuse to obey, for which reason war is made against them. One of them is Rajah Rup — that is, ' good-looking.' He is at the head of twelve thousand cavalry and eighty thousand infantry. All the same, I call him a traitor and a thief for having broken his promise to Prince Dara, and carrying off a large sum of money given him to collect soldiers against Aurangzeb, as may be seen in my First Part (I. 210). In one of the mountains, the nearest to Dihll, one of these rajahs pays one hundred and fifty rupees of tribute, besides some boat-loads of ice that he sends down by the Jamnah river during the hot season. This rajah asked Aurangzeb to exempt him from this money tribute, when he would undertake to send him every year enough ice for the whole city of Dihli, if he were empowered to sell it. But the king refused his consent for three reasons. The first was that much coin would be exported from his court, for everybody would buy. The second was that the rajah would become wealthy. The third was that he did not want anyone to use ice, except those to whom he should deign to accord such a favour.
238.1.7
When travelling from Dihli towards Lahor these high mountains are visible, all covered with snow throughout the year. Ice also is brought down from the hills nearest Lahor; it is brought to the governor by way of tribute, and comes down the river Ravi. The mountains begin in Pegu and are found as far as Kashmir, and thence to the river Indus, to Kabul, Balkh, and Tartary. The inhabitants of these mountains are of an almost white complexion, eyes and nose small, and their speech different from that of the Mogul country and much similar to Chinese.
238.1.8
In these mountain ranges, twenty-four days' journey from the city of Patnah, is an absolute king called Botand (? Bhutan). He has in his territories much gold, perfect musk, rubies, and precious stones. For this merchandise some traders travel there, but they are few, for there are great hindrances from the many petty rajahs. They suspect the traders to be Mogul spies. When they reach their destination they pay the rajah a visit, making him a present of some small rarity, such as a bottle of rose-water, or a piece of fine cloth, or a morsel of sandal-wood, or other similar article, with which he is contented. The travellers are then given great liberty, without any fear of robbers. The soil produces good food-supplies and delicious fruits, all cheap. Strangers are allowed to keep women in their houses, who act as slaves, and they may employ them as they please, without anyone interfering. When any foreigner dies the rajah seizes everything, and passes whatever order comes into his head. Some of the bodies he causes to be buried, others to be burnt, others to be cut into pieces. These last are thrown out into the open country as food for the birds of prey, or they are sent to the fields as sustenance for the serpents (boes), foxes, and wild beasts. Others will be thrown into the rivers, cut into pieces, as food for the fish.