Storia do Mogor 281.13.5

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.