[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) › 347 # Storia do Mogor 347: Copy of the Reply which was sent to this Last Letter by Prince Akbar to his Father Aurangzeb. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 347 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [347.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1) — 9 parts - [347.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2) — 8 parts - [347.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.3) — 3 parts ### Copy of the Reply which was sent to this Last Letter by Prince Akbar to his Father Aurangzeb. ### [347.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.1) 'I state, being the meanest among your Majesty's sons, I, Akbar, in reverent obeisance and humility and respect, that I have received your Majesty's letter. A thousand times do I give thanks for the honours, kindnesses, and favours that your Majesty metes out to me. Thereby have I received great joy and much consolation. The letter arrived at an auspicious moment, and I took it with all the humbleness and obedient duty that is owing to your Majesty's high dignity. Its mere receipt has brought me comfort. I am now informed as to your orders, and continue to be very joyful at seeing and reading again and again all \[43\] that your pen has condescended to write to me, and the instruction thereby imparted. I reply on all the heads, which I record with brevity, as is fitting for one who adheres to truth and justice. ### [347.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.2) 'Your Majesty writes to me that you love me, although I became disobedient, and was deprived of rank and dignity because I had placed myself in prison \[among the Rajputs\]. My lord, just as the son ought to be the obedient servant of his father who has conceived him, and ought to follow rightful orders as his father dictates, so must a father give reasonable commands in order that the son may find himself under a necessity to obey. Thanks be to God! I have not been wanting in due respect and reverence, nor in any way have I failed in my obedience as a son. I acknowledge the great grace and favour of your Majesty; so grateful am I that I cannot display it sufficiently. In fact, of all that you promise me, were there only to be granted a small fraction, or even of that small fraction only the minutest particle, I should rest content. ### [347.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.3) 'As it seems to me, since I was the youngest you ought to have shown me love and done me favour greater than that accorded to your other sons. However, I do not live devoid of hope, knowing you to be a tender-hearted father. Your Majesty has acted against the world's rule. You favoured your other sons; me you outraged. To your eldest son you conceded the title of king, and in \[44\] addition have declared him heir to the throne. In what system of justice or from what tribunal was there ever such a decision heard of? All the sons ought to share in the paternal estate. Your Majesty, to the very contrary of this, has raised one to greatness, has enriched another and overweighted him with titles, while the others are forsaken and in poverty. But where is the code and system in which such things can be discovered? O veritable king of truth, in thy equity all are equal! His mode of conduct is clear, and notified to all the world, and His works are registered in His scriptures. God will assign greatness to him who the most pleases Him. ### [347.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.4) 'Your Majesty was my teacher, who showed me the road I had to tread, and your example was imitated and followed by all others. And who is he who can decry my acts, when I followed the road that my father had taught me to go? Our first father, Adam, forfeited the favour of Heaven for two grains of wheat, while I have been sent to perdition for one grain alone. But I should be a fool if I did not know how to sell it profitably. Men, such as the great Taimur-i-lang and \[45\] King Shãhjahãn, went through and endured great labours, and to the end continued to be powerful and happy. He who refuses to undergo hardships can never become great or obtain the favour of Heaven or live in prosperity. Flowers do not exist without thorns, nor mountains without serpents.' \[Here follow two verses to this effect:\] ### [347.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.5) 'If Fortune means to favour me, A sharp sword will not wound me.' ' As is usual, fatigue is followed by repose; therefore I hope by the grace of God to be thus favoured, and freed from the hardships and troubles that at present I am suffering. In regard to your remark about Jaswant, who was the greatest of the Rajputs and a friend of Dãrã, as all the world knows, you advise me not to trust such people. To this I reply that your Majesty says well; but your Highness should be careful to speak no further thereof. For it is quite certain that Dãrã was not loved by that tribe; he was their enemy. Had he retained their friendship he would not have been defeated. King Shãhjahãn was fond of that tribe, being (as he was) related to them, and by their weapons \[46\] made himself King of Hindustan. ### [347.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.6) ' By the help of these people the great Mahãbat Khãn made a prisoner of King Jahãnglr, and chastised his enemies. Let your Majesty remember what Rajputs, men of this tribe, have done in your very presence at the Court of Dihll. They fought with such bravery that their deeds have been entered in the world's chronicles. In ancient story no record of equal valour can be anywhere discovered. Jaswant was the man who in the battle against Shãh Shujã was guilty of such a defect that he merited to be rigorously punished instead of being pardoned. Yet your Majesty passed this over because you not only knew the man, but feared him. It is he who, being corrupted and deceived by your Majesty's pretences and magic arts, omitted to espouse the cause of Dãrã. If he had taken that side your Majesty would not at this day be reigning; for it was he (Jaswant) who won you the victory. 'Who can doubt that these Rajputs deserve to be praised for their fidelity? This right they earned when, although deprived of their chieftain, they took the little children of the deceased rajah under their charge, and fighting desperately, offered up their lives. Three hundred of their \[47\] horsemen held out for twelve hours continuously against all the forces at your court, killing many famed and veteran warriors, finally retreating in safety. They are, then, worthy of praise, this tribe, as much for their fidelity as for their valour. ### [347.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.7) ' When the kings of Hindustan, its princes and potentates, or generals, desired to enrol soldiers, for each one whom they required a hundred offered themselves. At the present it takes you three years to recruit a few men. From what does this difficulty proceed, and what fact could tell you more? Yet from the first day in your Majesty's reign all are actors, and generals, but none have any loyalty: the perished and unprovided with arms, famous writers produce nothing and have no employment, the traders or deprived of their goods, and the people The lands of the Dakhin, which are so vast, and like a terrestrial Paradise, are nowadays uncultivated, unproductive, and uninhabited. 'What can I say about the kingdom of Bījāpur, once the of India, and now entirely undone? The city of Aurangābād, founded by your Majesty, and the chief place in that province, \[48\] was devastated by the enemy because it bore your name, and is now like a little quicksilver that disappears suddenly, being at this day no more than a mound of earth. The cause of this ruin was the tax imposed on the Hindus, which was converted into a profit to the enemy, who have done so much harm to the population, and subjected them to such hardships and tyrannies, worrying them on all sides, until the whole land has been reduced to desolation. ### [347.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.8) 'Upon what subject can I say anything good of your Majesty? The ancient and noble families are all extinct. The government, the rules, the counsels and advice needed for the welfare of the State, are all in the hands of low, ill-bred persons, such as weavers, washermen, barbers, carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, and such-like. Your Majesty puts your trust in hypocrites wearing huge turbans, and accepted as theologians because they carry a Quran under the arm and hold a chaplet in their hand. Yet are these men nothing but snares of Hell, with their hypocritical exterior of piety. They give false counsel, and by their appearance mislead the world. From this class of riffraff your Majesty has selected your privy councillors and courtiers. These are your guardian angels, Gabriel, Michael the Angel, Raphael, and Michael the Archangel, men who are dealers in adulterated wares. In public audience \[49\] they produce a feather or a straw, which to your Majesty they can make appear as a mighty mountain.' To this discourse are added some verses, of which the sense is as follows : ### [347.1.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.1.9) 'In Aurangzeb's reign the vile and low are favoured ; They pass by in mighty state and arrogance, These are his companions and counsellors ; they govern all : The noble and learned are undone, he uses not such, they have no place at his court. The whole world wonders at seeing such misrule ; Behold to what condition we are reduced ! Asses plant kicks on noble horses, great men ride in fear. Not a soul pays any attention to the King's orders ; The officials trade, buying and selling offices at court ; To-day, when done eating, they break their salt-cellar and pay him with ingratitude.' ### [347.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.1) 'Seeing the destruction of this kingdom, and your inability even then to rule it, I felt forced to withdraw in deep dejection at the sight of such disorders, in order to restore my equanimity and live in peace, with the decorum befitting the refinement of my habits. May your Majesty live long ! Quit the government, and I will rule the kingdom as it ought to be done. Journey \[50\] to Mecca, and when you have done so all men will tell of your greatness. During all these years you have ruled in grandeur and done what you pleased. Now that the shadows fall it is time to retire and begin to care for your soul. Your Majesty urges me to return to the Presence. Willingly would I do so if my youth did not inspire me with some fear. However, if your Majesty were only at the head of a small company, I, as the least among your sons, would come and throw myself at your feet and obey you in every particular. I refrain from writing here any more, as I might, not wishing to weary you; and may the sun ever shine on your Majesty along with your sons.' ### [347.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.2) The inquiring reader will have already seen in the Fourth Part \[IV, 18\] what happened last year to the Portuguese of S. Thome and their new chief captain, who had come from Goa to govern their quarter of the town. After his wound had healed he wrote to the Viceroy of Goa that he resigned the captaincy, and requested him to order someone else to take charge \[51\] of the government. The Viceroy, who was then Caetano de Mello, issued an order to the Lord Bishop, Gaspar Affonço, to take over charge from the captain, and if he declined the task he could chose anyone he considered best fitted for the office. On receipt of this order the Bishop assumed command, and governs up to this day. In the very first days of his rule he assembled the officials of the Portuguese quarter, and enjoined on them the imposition of a tax to meet the cost of a new standard; for it was already obvious that the old one, having been long in use, could not serve much longer. The officials remonstrated, pointing out to him the impossibility of the matter owing to the poverty of the inhabitants, who had hardly enough to eat. After meeting with different objections the Lord Bishop grew angry, and said to them, if they would not provide the money for the flag he would have the flagstaff removed. At this answer they were a little upset, and finally conceded what he desired. ### [347.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.3) But this did not end the discussion. The greatest impediment in this affair, they considered, was not knowing how, having no money, they could pay every month nearly one pataca (two rupees) to the person who would have to raise, fix, and lower the flag. This new difficulty caused the officials to ask for time before deciding. \[52\] Finding there was great delay in giving the desired answer, the Bishop, after waiting eight days, sent again for the same officials and held forth to them at great length. He said to them that in olden days the city of San Thome was much renowned, and held in respect by both Mahomedans and Hindus. Let them not forget that at this city the Apostle St. Thomas had converted many men to Christianity. Thus it was fitting to raise aloft the standard of his Portuguese Majesty, and secure for him respect in these regions. Some of the officials explained that the year before, while the flag was flying, the Mahomedans had come into the Portuguese ward and murdered some of the inhabitants, whereby up to the present the matter had remained in suspense. But to wind up with, the real difficulty in preparing the new Royal Standard was that the person who looked after the old flag demanded his pay for the year and a half then due to him. To start with, it was necessary to pay him, seeing there was no one else throughout the city fit for this duty. ### [347.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.4) The Lord Bishop was worn out by this affair and other government business, and being already advanced in years, he foresaw that he would have no peace. He therefore made over the direction of affairs to Nicolao Rodriguez, of whom I have already spoken (V. 20). The first \[53\] judgment pronounced by this new ruler was as follows : A man in the Lord Bishop's employment sold a slave girl to a ship's captain living in Madras, a Catholic, named Francesco Noult (or Hoult). The price was twenty-six pagodas. The girl absconded and took shelter in the Bishop's house. Upon receiving information the captain went to the Bishop's house to ask for his slave girl. The answer he got was that she was in no way a slave, but a free person, and this in spite of his producing the certificate of slavery and the contract of sale attested by the judge. Finding that he had lost the negress, the captain demanded the return of his money. They got rid of him by saying that the cleric had spent the money and had nothing wherewith to pay. ### [347.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.5) Some days after the said Rodriguez had assumed charge the servants of the clerics in the Lord Bishop's house assembled to the number of eleven, and at midnight went and set fire to the gate of Joã de Moraes Mixias, his Majesty's auditor. Seeing the fire burning, this gentleman went to the window and shouted for help. The only answer he got from the students was a discharge of muskets. The bullets struck the window, and some fell inside the house. The auditor in turn seized his arms, and the fight went on for the rest of the night. This happened twice. The auditor was compelled in the end \[54\] to make a complaint to the Bishop, who replied, like the Paulist (i.e., Jesuit) he was, that if complainant would hold his tongue he would see the thing was stopped. Finding himself thus interfered with, and that there was no justice to be got, the auditor was forced to remove to Madras, and now he is on his way to Pegu. ### [347.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.6) In the year 1705, on the 2nd of October, I went to visit the Mahomedan ruler of San Thome, whose name is Molla Morat (Mullã Murãd). While I was in conversation with him there came before him a poor faqir, all bruised and bleeding, with his head broken and his body covered with marks of blows. He cried out for justice to be done for the injuries inflicted on him. The governor \[i.e., faujdãr\] inquired how it happened that he had been so badly treated. He arrived at the conclusion from the description that the culprit was a student serving-man of the Bishop of Mailãpur. The faqir had asked him for alms at the house-door, instead of which he was given a sound bastonading. The governor (or faujdãr) was very much angered at such an act, and therefore ordered the hot-headed student to be brought before him; his name was Francesco Borges. The order could not, however, be executed, as the man hid in the house of the Most Illustrious Bishop, where he believed he would be safe. When the business is to deal out punishment, the Mahomedans have respect to no one, and make no distinctions. They attempted \[55\] to get hold of the delinquent. The governor sent several times for four days to ask the Lord Bishop to give the man up; but it was all in vain. ### [347.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.7) In the interval, by the interposition of friends, the criminal court was propitiated by a present made to it of fifty patacas. This money was realized by a tax imposed upon the people, as it is the custom to do in such cases. The affair just recounted caused two evils: one was that the money having been employed to satisfy the criminal court, it could not be used to make the flag; the other, that they omitted the usual procession of the Rosary in order not to have to deal with any tumult such as that occasion might give rise to. ### [347.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.2.8) On December 15 of the year 1705 began the Novaine of the Virgin Mary. This festival it is usual to hold every year at Monte Grande (Great Mount). On that day the musicians of the Lord Bishop appeared to take a part in the solemnities. Those gentlemen went for a stroll in the garden of the Honourable English Company \[56\], which is situated at the foot of the mount, and has in it a fine house for recreation. During this walk, without having any consideration for the Governor of Madras, these clerics and students took the liberty not only of removing fruit from the trees, but also of giving the gardeners a shoe-beating when they forbade them to pick the fruit. This piece of temerity came to the ears of the governor, and he sent twenty-five soldiers, Mahomedans and Hindus, who took the insolent clerics, and, dragging and pushing them, marched them off to the fortress of Madras, where they were locked up. Subsequently they were brought into the governor's presence. He released the culprits after they had begged their liberty and expressed repentance for their misdeeds. ### [347.3.182](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.3.182) In the month of March of the said year \[1705\] the Arabs returned with sixteen vessels to the territory of Daman. They landed four hundred soldiers and sacked several aldeas, or villages. Without delay this invasion was reported to the governor of the town. But being very intent on his game of cards, he gave no sort of answer. A second message was brought ; still he answered nothing, but went on with his game. Finally, on the third summons he answered that he would set things right at his own time, and went on playing. The inhabitants of the \[57\] place, seeing their villages plundered and burnt, and the enemy advancing on the town, laid hold of the governor, and, collecting a few horsemen and some infantry, went out to meet the enemy. They behaved so bravely that they forced him to retreat. They killed fifty of his soldiers, and recovered a little of what had been plundered from the villages. The governor of the place was sent to Goa in irons. It is quite likely that the man will be appointed to some greater position, since I have seen many a time such a thing happen to that sort of official ; while those who are faithful and exert themselves for the Crown of Portugal are very soon either ruined or murdered. \[Omitted, fols. 57-64, a letter from the Archbishop of Goa of December 23, 1704, and his pastoral, dated December 22, 1704. These are a mere repetition of what has already appeared in Codex XLIV., Part IV., fol. 226. I resume on fol. 64.\] \[64\] At present there are living in Madras many Armenian merchants and a number of other persons of this race who frequent this port. Not many years ago they received a report from Persia that their race had suffered much by the gross injuries committed and the calumnies invented by those of their own nation. The Armenians are themselves the originators of these evils from the want among them of unanimity and concord. It is already known that the principal Patriarch of this race lives usually not far from the city of Arivam (Erivan). His abode is about three days' journey from that city ; the town is of considerable antiquity, and is called Uchiquilicia (Úch Qilissah), which in our tongue means 'The Three Churches.' Great veneration is paid to the place because of the numerous and ancient holy relics there. In the town called Zulfah, close to Isfahan, are three bishops; the first is called Alexandre, the second Mobies, and the third Ovanes. The last mentioned turned renegade, so nowadays his place has been taken by someone else. These bishops decline to obey the aforesaid Patriarch of the \[65\] Three Churches (whose name is Naapiet), although anciently this was the custom; and this refusal has caused great enmity. On this account a great dispute arose among the population of Zulfah about the Patriarch, some being ready to obey him, and some declining to do so. When the three bishops saw it was impossible for them to become absolute masters of the situation, they planned to take the Patriarch's life. To this intent they concocted a letter in the Patriarch's name, in which a great deal of ill and many abusive words were written about the King of Persia and the false prophet, Muhammad. Then they so manoeuvred that the letter should fall into the king's own hands through Armenians, who were friends of theirs and enemies of the Patriarch—men who professed to be zealous supporters of the Persian Crown. The letter was in the Armenian tongue, and thus the king, like a wise man, was reluctant to believe the traitors. Therefore he called to the presence an aged Armenian from among the principal men, and ordered him to read out the letter. The old man, who was called Kalãntar, fearing some treachery, feigned to be ill, stood all in a tremble, and being nearly blind, was in that way able to excuse himself from reading it. Anxious to find out the truth, the king called in an old man from the residents of Zulfah, called Gregório Jamãl, and giving \[66\] him the letter, ordered him to read it aloud. XLIV. Figures of Ascetics. To face page 182. ### [347.3.1703](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.3.1703) When this man reached the passage which touched the honour of his Majesty, he began to tremble from head to foot to such an extent that he was unable to utter a word. Seeing this, the king told him to have no fear, but to read every word that was written, assuring him that he would not take any offence with him personally. After these reassuring words he managed to read, and when it was finished the king, being a young man, felt it deeply, and ordered a household slave to cut off the Patriarch's head. The executioner reached the Three Churches when the Patriarch was saying Mass on Good Friday in the principal church. It was full of people, and various Armenian bishops and priests were present. The executor of the harsh order entered the church. It is impossible to describe sufficiently the amazement and confusion that at once spread among the bystanders. The man sprang up the altar steps, seized the Patriarch, and dragged him by main force out of the church preparatory to decapitating him. Among all those present there was not one who dared to hinder such a lamentable act. Only the principal men who, as good luck would have it, were present succeeded in persuading the executioner to allow the Patriarch to be divested of the ecclesiastical vestments before the carrying out of the royal orders. This short delay saved the Patriarch's life, for in the meantime a horseman arrived with a revised order from his Majesty : the Patriarch was no longer to be beheaded, but to be taken to prison instead. The origin of this new order was traced to a faint suspicion that reached, I know not how, the ears of his Majesty that there had been the treachery we have already described. Anyhow, it is certain that when the king gave the first order the bishops already mentioned, with all the rest of their faction, betrayed great satisfaction. The renegade bishop also boasted among his friends of having been the causer of the royal order. Our Lord, who is a just ruler over all things, and the defender of the innocent, so worked that his Majesty penetrated the deception, although some doubts remained. Therefore, to find out the rest of the facts, as told above, he caused the renegade bishop to be arrested, and ordered him to be questioned to find out if he was to blame. Although he did not confess the crime, his answers to the demands and cross-questioning of the judges had not been consistent. Therefore he was put to the torture vigorously. The man, unable to stand the torture, confessed that the letter had been drawn up by him at the instigation of the three Armenian bishops, and that for the same they had given him a reward in money. At once, upon receipt of this confession, men were sent to arrest the three bishops, and after being well examined they confessed they were the culprits. After their conviction they were subjected to a punishment as degrading as it was painful. It took place in the public square in front of the royal palace. The three bishops and the renegade were bound with their feet raised, so that half of their bodies touched the earth. Such a beating was then administered on the soles of their feet that their toe-nails and some of their toes dropped off. They were then released. A new tribute was imposed on the church of Zulfah, whereby they were called on to pay twenty thousand patacas in addition to the usual annual demand. However, the Patriarch was released from prison, subject to the penalty of paying yearly ten thousand patacas. These insults caused to the Armenians loss and to the Mahomedans profit; and the latter are guilty of a thousand outrages on the Christians. It is the custom of the Armenians, in whatever part of the world they have churches, to pray God on behalf of their patriarch, Nahapet, venerating him as their Pope, equally in their public as in their private prayers. It is only in the three churches of the above-named bishops that he is not prayed for. The above events happened in the year 1703. ### [347.3.p3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347.3.p3) It must be nearly five years since a similar thing happened in the town of Zulfah. Among their principal men was one called Abiett, who became a renegade. He hated the bishops of his own people, and by a plot similar to that recounted above he obtained the torturing and condemnation to death of the chief bishop, whose name was Estefanus. I do not dilate on it farther, or give any minute account, knowing that there is no deficiency of inquiring persons in Persia who write to Europe on these same events more clearly than I can do. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.347) · Pramāṇa