[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) › 238.7 # Storia do Mogor 238.7 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 238.7 - **Language:** English ### [238.7.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.1) In the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine there came an ambassador from the Grand Seignor to ask help in money from Aurangzeb, explaining to him the danger to which his king was exposed from the armies of the Christians. Aurangzeb sent him nine lakhs of rupees, making excuses for giving no greater help. For he, too, was occupied against the infidel and rebellious Shiva Ji. The arrival of this ambassador gave an idea of the strength of the European nations; for the people of India supposed that Europeans live on islands, and that it is only on the sea they know how to fight. No effect had been produced by the accounts given them of various battles which had happened in Europe. After the coming of this ambassador they recognised that they had been told the truth on this head. Aurangzeb was forced to admit that without a doubt the strength of the Europeans was greater than that of the Turk, who is conceded to be the most powerful and most valiant king among the Mahomedans. ### [238.7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.2) There now remains something to be said on the Mogul mode of government. I have already stated that the king holds public audience in the 'Am-Khas (Hall of Audience), and there it is usual for aggrieved persons to appear and make complaint. Some men demand punishment for murderers, others complain of injustice and violence or other such-like wrongful acts. To show his equity, power, and greatness, the king ordains with arrogance, and in few words, that the thieves be beheaded, that the governors and faujdars compensate the plundered travellers, and return to court themselves to render an account of their bad government. In some cases he announces that there is no pardon for the transgressor; in others he orders the facts to be investigated and a report made to him. To similar complaints he gives similar answers. This is merely to console, and as a proof that he is no consenting party to injustice. ### [238.7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.3) I will give \[77\] as an example the case of some Arab merchants, who came to court to complain that on their voyage with some Arab horses from Masqat to India, when about the latitude of Surat, some Farangi pirates had robbed them. Without another question the king ordered a letter to be sent forthwith to the governor of that port, ordering him at once to bind the Farangls, and send them to court to be punished. By these words he did the utmost that he could do. For the governor of Surat was unable to seize the thieves, nor could he send them to court. It is the habit of these kings to talk like this as a demonstration that they do not recognise any other power than their own. Usually there is some rebellion of the rajahs and zamindars going on in the Mogul kingdom. When the king is informed, he issues in public an order that the governors and faujdars be written to directing that they must assemble, destroy the rebels, and send their heads to court. If their forces are insufficient, let them report it, that he may send them troops to overcome the rebels, and eject them from the kingdom. At other times he will order the rebel to be sent in alive or dead, or else the governor must send his head (such orders are very easy to give and very difficult to execute). ### [238.7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.4) After all these orders have been given, he retires to the gousal cana (ghusal-khdnah), the place for second audience and counsel. Here he gives other secret orders as to what is to be done. The officials control proceedings, without the king being able to inspect everything that is done, owing to his multitudinous occupations. There can be no doubt that if this king were well served many things could be done in these regions. purity.' Herein are good counsels given and excellent sentences, and thence just orders are sent forth. It is a privileged and ordered place. There are in the empire three principal imperial abodes ; the most ancient is at Dihli, the second at Agrah, the third at Lahor. At each there is a great bastion, named the Xaaburg (Shah-burj), which means 'Royal Bastion.' They are domed, and have architectural adornments of curious enamel work, with many precious stones. Here the king holds many audiences for selected persons, and from it he views the elephant fights and diverts himself with them. ### [238.7.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.5) All these palaces are full of gardens with running water, which flows in channels into reservoirs of stone, jasper, and marble. In all the rooms and halls of these palaces there are ordinarily fountains or reservoirs of the same stone of proportionate size. In the gardens of these palaces there are always flowers according to the season. There are no large fruit-trees of any sort, in order not to hinder the delight of an open view. In these palaces are seats and private rooms, some of which are in the midst of the running water. In the water are many fish for delight. Other rooms are ornamented with large mirrors, and seem to be made all of crystal. In the royal palaces the king takes rest wherever it pleases him. In spite of his being well guarded, he still changes the place at various times for fear of any treachery. Round these palaces or cities are many royal gardens for recreation, where are grown many kinds of fruit and flowers, chiefly roses, from which are distilled essences for the royal household. ### [238.7.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.6) I will tell a story of what happened in one of these gardens. It was situated in front of the royal palace at Lahor, and was called Delcuxao (Dil-kusha), which signifies 'Open Heart.' To it went for recreation twelve officials, and in lightness of heart, drunk as they were, they sent out in search of twelve women. One by one eleven appeared, and one man was left without a lady. As the sun was setting, there appeared one at the entrance of the garden, who walked most gracefully. She was very lovely and well dressed, so that she roused envy in the whole company. Drawing near to him to whom she was allotted, who had come forward to greet her, she perceived it was her husband! \[78\] Vigorously hastening her pace, and with demonstrations of rage, she fell upon him, tore his clothes, beat and abused him, and said he must have lost his way out walking; the company he found himself in was not such as suited a person of gravity. She dragged him away and took him home, making him out the sinner, although she was an adulteress herself. I noticed that when vassals are in the royal presence they feign to be timid and afraid of His Majesty. These gestures please him, they being the custom. The combats and conquests made by both ancient and modern Mogul kings, it is to be noted, have for the major part been won rather by deceit and false oaths than by force of arms. Never does the Mogul attack any stronghold or give battle unless he is secure of having some traitor to help him. ### [238.7.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.7) In addition to the robes of honour, the elephants, horses, arms, et cetera, which the Mogul confers as gifts on his vassals, as I have already said, he has also other favours for the greater men at his court or in the empire. Once every year he confers a bardni — that is, 'protection from the rain'; it is a cape of very fine broadcloth. The greatest honour that the king can do to one of these nobles is to marry him to some relation of the queens and princesses. Similarly, as a proof that he holds any person in high estimation, he takes off from his body his upper coat and makes the man put it on in his presence, to signify that he loves him as he does his own person. In spite of all these condescensions, Aurangzeb never hesitated to take the life of Rajah Jai Singh and the others, as I have seen ; and through this policy of affection he continues to destroy. ### [238.7.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7.8) For this conduct there is an ancient regulation, which they keep secret and with which they amuse themselves. In it are laid down various methods by which kings and princes ought to govern. He imparts these rules to his trusted eunuchs and others, who conduct themselves by them in regard to the court officials. Of this I will give an example which happened in the army of my prince. Atax Can (Atash Khan), captain of a select force, had the charge of keeping order in the camp, more especially round the royal enclosure. One day he came very near to the gate of the seraglio (mahal), which was in the rear of the principal gateway of the court, and wished to enforce new orders that were not usual at that place. Seeing this, the eunuchs, gatekeepers, and Kashmiri women servants assailed him by throwing stones, pestles, mallets, shoes, tent-pegs, pots for porridge, and saucepans, dislodging him and all his soldiers. He made complaint to the prince of the affront he had received, declaring that what he had done followed the regulations of the royal court. To this the prince replied with much softness and quietude, saying that he was not well acquainted with the royal customs, according to which the men of the militia had no concern with the mahal gateway, which was in the charge of the eunuchs. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.238.7) · Pramāṇa