Storia do Mogor 281.13
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 281.13
- Language
- English
281.13.1
This official (Kifayat Khan) said to Norris that he had been sent by his majesty solely to let him understand that it was necessary for him to agree to what was asked, since all the European nations at Surat were compelled to do the same. He was also ordered to hinder him from continuing his journey. There were several other things he added, but only by way of advice [36]. Thereupon the ambassador, irritated in the highest degree, and firmly resolved to maintain his purpose, took no heed of all that had been said to him, and went on his way. This fact was reported to the king, and he sent orders to all faujdars and all governors to prevent his proceeding any farther, and to block all the routes. However, Norris tried to push on by force, but met with resistance, and the Indian soldiers in his pay were warned that they would be punished if they continued to advance. Thus these people, who were to the number of four hundred, their fear of these menaces being greater than their desire to do their duty, abandoned him. All these hindrances did not cause him to lose heart, and followed by a few English and Portuguese only, who stuck to him, he made every endeavour to pass, so that eventually they came to blows, and several men were killed. By this means the roads were for a time freed.
281.13.2
But when the king received a report of what was going on, he sent orders to Keazudin Can (Ghiyaz-ud-din Khan), governor of Burhanpur, to stop him (Norris), and whatever might be the cost, to prevent his passing until fresh orders had been given. Ghiyaz-ud-din Khan, on receipt of these orders, complied with them. He barred the road, and forbade the furnishing of any supplies. At the same time he made protests of being the ambassador's friend, that on all occasions he would endeavour to prove this fact, that it was his ardent desire to see and converse with him, that he had matters to communicate of the highest importance to his interests. In this way, by polite words, he managed to catch Norris and bring him to the town of Burhanpur, and there he was detained. Ghiyaz-ud-din Khan made his report at once to the king of what had been done, and on this head there is so far no news, and the ambassador is still there awaiting further orders.
281.13.3
I have already said several times, and I cannot resist repeating it, the inhabitants of Hindustan are politic and dissimulators to the highest degree. At the first interview they are able to discover adroitly the intentions of those with whom they have to deal. They are self-seeking even to excess. No promises cost them a moment's hesitation ; they are great flatterers, and they always hold out great hopes, in spite of their having not the remotest wish of holding to them. Thus it happens that so many men, when they think they have accomplished their ends, obtain the very contrary of what they had expected. Since I am on the chapter of this ambassador [i.e., Norris], there comes to mind three demands put by Aurangzeb to the Persian king's envoy in the early part of his reign. The replies he made were held to be sensible, and worthy of a man of understanding. First he was asked what strength his king disposed of. 'Sire,' replied the ambassador, 'I know not the number of his soldiers, but this I do know: that they are all united.' Secondly, he was asked what might be the extent of his king's treasures. 'Sire,' said he, 'I do not know, but what I do know is that his people are always prosperous.' Finally, in the third and last place, he was asked his king's age. 'Sire,' said he, 'I do not know, but one thing I know well, and that is, he is very prudent.'
281.13.4
Let us come back to Shiva Ji. This rajah has had the temerity to attack the royal army while upon the march, and he pressed forward so boldly that he was within a very short distance of the royal tent [37], and the king was forced to extricate himself as best he could. He took bow and arrow in hand in order to animate and encourage his troops. At this moment a Hindu prince rushed up to his succour at the head of four thousand Rajputs, causing the enemy to retreat. Without this aid, Aurangzeb would have run a great risk of either being made prisoner or of losing his life.
281.13.5
The prince of whom I have just spoken is quite young, not more than twelve years of age, but he is advised by good and experienced commanders. He is the grandson of Jaswant Singh, of whom I spoke many times in the earlier parts of this history. The king, as a recompense and to prove his gratitude for the service just done him, called the youth to his presence, and took him by the hands (an unusual action). Then he told the young man to drag his hands away by force. His object was to see if the young prince would be quick-witted enough to make him an appropriate answer. This he did in the following manner: 'Wherefore, sire, should I withdraw them; the place where they rest is too highly to be esteemed for that.' The king was highly delighted at such a clever reply from a child, and made a gift to him of two elephants, a very fine horse, and a set of rich robes (sarapa). This he did with the greater pleasure that he had need of his services. In the preceding books it will, no doubt, have been remarked how much persecution and ill-treatment Aurangzeb had dealt out to a son of Rajah Jaswant Singh. In spite thereof, these [Jaswant Singh's family] have never resented this conduct; on the contrary, they have always served him when the occasion presented itself, as has just been proved once more by the event I reported above.
281.13.6
It must be avowed that things have turned out with this king [Aurangzeb] very differently from what he anticipated when only a prince. For at that time he used to say that if ever God allowed him to mount the throne, he would undertake to rule the empire with an army of no more than twelve thousand horse. Yet at this present moment he has fifty thousand continually in the field, and is nevertheless quite incapable of undertaking anything serious against Shiva Ji [the Mahrattahs]. In addition, he has several other armies posted at various places in his empire, and these are incessantly occupied in recalling to their duty certain rebel Hindu princes. For these men adhere still to their ancient practices, and remain loyal as little as possible. This fact can be seen in my earlier Parts. Shiva Ji, on his side, was not idle, and allowed no occasion of doing injury to escape him, making continual attacks upon the general, Zu,lfiqar Khan. Seeing this, and suffering from that prince's (the Mahrattah) strength, the general was forced to withdraw and seek for safer quarters. During his retreat he was pursued by the enemy for five days, and lost a number of men. At the end of that time the rajah desisted, seeing that to all appearance he would be unable to inflict a crushing defeat; he then turned off towards the province of Barrar (Barar). On his way he pillaged and plundered everything he could find, as is his custom.
281.13.7
Aurangzeb is well aware that if he does not go in person at the head of his armies, it is impossible to become master of any fortress. To carry on this war he is put to enormous expense, and when all things are reckoned up, many a year he has gained nothing, although he has consumed many men and much money. Nevertheless [38] he never ceases to push on his purpose, and in this way his conduct of affairs is not without profit to Shiva Jí, who, like an able man, succeeds in making use of this persistence for the advancement of his own interest. At times he is sly enough to let a fort be taken, then, waiting till it is fully provisioned and afterwards fortified, he retakes it with even greater readiness than it had ever fallen before. It is true that his troops are very much better, and more inured to war than those of the Mogul. For they are Dakny soldiers, who pass for the bravest and most enterprising in India. It may also be asserted that if the monarch (Aurangzeb) maintains his design of becoming master of all Shiva Jí's fortresses, he will need, before he succeeds, to live for as many years more as he has already lived. But it is quite clear that he would throw up the war most readily did he not imagine that his reputation is at stake.