Storia do Mogor 281.14.1

281.14.1

He bears himself in such a way as if he were not even aware of all the losses he is suffering. He has lost all the Dakhin, and sacrificed many soldiers and officers without allowing the least sign of chagrin to appear. Nor did he show any at the siege of Bījāpur, where he lost twelve thousand sappers by the explosion of the enemy's countermines. On the contrary, this contretemps having been reported to him by one of the principal commanders with evident signs of grief and sorrow, the king answered with a laugh that it was a mere nothing. The reason is that he has a perfect understanding of his empire : he knows it to be thickly peopled ; war holds his enemies in fear, while it secures the devotion of his nobles and vassals by providing them with occupation. It keeps their fortunes at the lowest ebb, to which he takes care to add the heavy contributions he obliges them to pay. At last the king remembered about the Chevalier Norris, and what had happened to him under his orders. He wrote a letter to his own general, Ghiyaz-ud-din Khan, suggesting that he should intercede with his majesty for the said envoy. An extraordinary proceeding this, but often resorted to by these princes when they have made some mistake, or they are in need of some one. For in such cases, instead of making overtures to persons involved, they always put them in the wrong, and force them to employ intercessors.