[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) › 292.3 # Storia do Mogor 292.3 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 292.3 - **Language:** English ### [292.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.1) About fifteen days afterwards I returned to Madras, and rendered an account to the governor of all that I had done in regard to the interests of the company and to the matters he had committed to me. This generous man, having obtained full confirmation of my story, was very satisfied, and gave me many marks of his gratitude. I did not tell him all that the Brahman had done to me, for he had besought me with tears in his eyes not to say anything. His tears compelled me to have compassion, and instead of telling, I made over to him two lengths of cloth, thereby rewarding his ingratitude and infamous conduct by a largesse. I let him see that a generous and Christian heart (be it said without boasting) never resents the wrongs or injustice done to it. ### [292.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.2) Here I must mention that while I was at the army there arrived from Pondicherry an envoy on behalf of Governor Martin. He came to negotiate about some business which concerned the Royal Company. The party brought some letters of recommendation on the subject addressed to me. But as I was just on the point of leaving, I declined to wait until all those difficulties were overcome ; for it was of importance both to me and to the Noble Company of England that I should return with all possible speed to Madras. However, before I started I recommended the affairs of the Royal Company both to Da,ud Khan and to the chief minister, as well as to the other officials. All of them promised to be of use to me, and cause me to have satisfaction about those demands. As a matter of fact, I have reason to be satisfied with them ; for Monsieur Martin afterwards wrote me letters of thanks and gratitude, notifying that my recommendations had been of great use to them, and enabled them to settle their business to their satisfaction and at a moderate cost. This assertion I believe all the more readily, since the Mahomedans act with the French in quite a different manner to that adopted with all other nations. ### [292.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.3) \[95\] Four months afterwards \[1701\] Da,ud Khan was passing from Arkat to Tanjor to receive the tribute paid by that king to the Mogul, as also the payments of other tributary kings. It is true that the envoy of that king and those of the other rulers, who are always present with Da,ud Khan, wished to pay the tribute at Arkat itself. Their object was to spare him the exertion of going so far ; but he would not accept this excuse. He knew quite well what his travels might bring him in from these foreign states ; for if he had received Aurangzeb's tribute at Arkat, there would have been no share for himself. The presents would come to more than the dues, whether he caused them to be given by threats or otherwise. He started, then, for Tanjor, collected the tribute there, and obtained presents which satisfied him. On his way back he passed by Cuddalore, where the governor, Mr. Frazer, sent out men to salute him, and presented him with an elephant, some pieces of scarlet cloth and other fine cloths of Europe and China, together with a sum of money and some European wines. All this was by way of compliment, for he (Frazer) feared this general, who was continually threatening him on account of the death of his brother-in-law. Neither he nor his sister could forget, and she cherished in her mind the belief that Cuddalore and the English were the cause of her husband's death. ### [292.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.4) However, all passed peaceably, for these people, through money and presents, can easily be made to forget the death of a relation, or any other thing. From that point the general (Da,ud Khan) moved close to Pondicherry, whence the governor sent out to salute him, and forwarded him a small present. Next he came to Sadraspatam, where the Dutch did the same. These people (Mahomedans) have no hesitation in undertaking long journeys, provided that it suits their interests, as it always does happen to do on these occasions. Lastly, he reached San Thome with all his army. At this spot the Governor of Madras sent out to salute him Mr. Ellis, the second-in-council, accompanied by two other officials. They carried with them a present similar to the one I had given him when I applied for confirmation of the farmans to the company. Their orders were also to pay many compliments to the chief minister. Of all these duties the Englishmen acquitted themselves. ### [292.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.5) By chance I happened to be present when these gentlemen arrived at the camp, because I had gone there also to pay my respects to the general and the chief minister. The visitors were badly enough received; for Da,ud Khan declined to receive this 'ordinary present,' as he styled it. He told them plainly that these articles were not such as could be presented to a man of his rank. He felt astonished that the governor should send him presents of such small importance; he should remember that he was the first man in the province, and lieutenant-general for the Great Mogul. He also said to them that he was greatly amazed at the governor's sending a Brahman to Arkat in the company of Dr. Manouchy to take part in a discussion of their business. The matter \[96\] was fully important enough to demand quite another stamp of man than this Brahman, a nobody and of no standing. His amazement was all the greater, since the man had tried to do harm to Dr. Manouchy, who had been brought up in the courts of Asia, more especially in that of the Great Mogul. He added some further words in my praise and to my honour, such as it is not meet for me to repeat. ### [292.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.6) In the end the Englishmen were given leave to depart, and they received some very fine cloth of gold and silver, of which he made them a present. He added many soft and sugared words, for he declared to them that he was a firm friend of their nation; they ought to repose entire confidence in him, for he would at all times be ready to do them a service in all matters. But along with these speeches he did not omit to tell them that presents sent to a minister of his standing ought to be large and proportionate to his rank and authority. Those gentlemen wished to make excuses, but he declined to listen. Whatever efforts they made to persuade him that they were treating him exactly like all the other nawabs, his predecessors, and above all, Zu,lfiqar Khan, who is generalissimo at the court of the Mogul, he remained deaf to all their arguments. The English were much put out by this treatment, which was founded on nothing but cupidity. Therefore, foreseeing the inconveniences likely to be produced by his displeasure, they decided to employ some friends to plead their cause. They applied to the chief minister and others, who adjusted the quarrel. The conditions were that the same presents should be sent again, adding five thousand rupees and some very rare European curiosities. After this they became friends. ### [292.3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.7) Da,ud Khan subsequently \[July 11\] sent a message to the governor that he was desirous of visiting him, as he (Pitt) could not come to San Thome. The governor requested me to go to that place (San Thome) to receive him (Da,ud Khan) \[July 12\], and escort him to this fortress (Fort St. George). This I did. We left San Thome with fifty horsemen, as previously agreed on. On our way we met the councillors from Madras, accompanied by a part of the garrison. After reciprocal compliments between the two parties, we resumed our journey. ### [292.3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3.8) Upon reaching the gate of the town, we perceived all the soldiers — European and Indian — under arms, and drawn up in single rank on both sides from that spot up to the fort gate, while a number of armed men were on the town wall and the fort wall. These were arranged in excellent order, much to the astonishment of Da,ud Khan, who could not repress signs of admiration. Still greater was his amazement when, as they drew near the fort gateway, the soldiers and their officers, on catching sight of the governor, drew themselves up in line and went through divers movements which were quite unknown to him. They were only done in his honour and that of the governor. But being unaccustomed to all this military ceremonial, he was thrown into a state of confusion and apprehension. He believed himself to be already a prisoner. For this reason he spoke to me in a loud voice, requesting that all these men might be withdrawn. I reassured him, saying that it was nothing but the usual ceremonial and method among these troops; he should not be in the least afraid, or suspect anything. At the same time, I took care to cry out to the soldiers that they must retire. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.292.3) · Pramāṇa