Storia do Mogor 353.3
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 353.3
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353.3.1
The old surgeon stayed on at the court without obtaining leave to depart. Then he decided on flight from Aurangābād for Daman. This he managed to do, but the end was not favourable. At the time I arrived at Sūrat orders had been received to catch the surgeon who had fled from the court. He was very easy to recognise, for he bore a knife-scar across his face from one ear to the other, due to a wound inflicted by one of his compatriots. I was then in Dihli newly from Persia. The governor, in his attempts to find the surgeon, learnt that a surgeon (that being I) had arrived from court. At once he sent off a messenger to my house, who informed me, on behalf of the governor, that I must at once appear in his presence. At the time I had fever, and the insolent fellow (they are all like that) would not take my excuses, or accept the complimentary message that I sent to the governor, whose name was Cartalapan (Kãr-talab Khãn). The man spoke with great rudeness, and made as if he meant to take me away by force. At this movement I lost patience, and, getting to my feet, I laid hold of him, gave him several shoe strokes, and threw him downstairs. Thus beaten as he was, he returned to the presence of the governor with outcries, making out [84] a little more than he had suffered. As the governor was a cautious man he sent a person of standing, making over to him the letter from the court, in which was entered the mark on the face as a means of recognising the surgeon.
353.3.2
On his reaching my house, as soon as I saw him I recognised that we were old friends. He reported the facts to the governor, and he sent word to me that as soon as I was well again he would come to see me. Three days having elapsed, the fever left me, and I repaired to the governor's. I was well received by him, as he required medicines from me. Whilst we were in conversation they brought in the surgeon. He was taken away for that night to another house, and next morning was sent back to court. These events took place in 1680, in the month of September. In 1686 the king consented to his leaving, looking on him as a man already old and no longer of any use. This same doctor in 1672 had another mishap. Being then, as I have said, desirous of leaving for Europe, he expended seven thousand rupees on diamonds. He showed his purchase to a young man, who in his wanderings had arrived at his house. Being a fellow-countryman, he placed great faith in him, and never dreamt of his plotting [85] treachery against him.
353.3.3
One day when the doctor had gone to make his appearance at court, the ungrateful youth opened the casket with a key that he had got made, and took the diamonds and as much money as seemed to him necessary for expenses. He then fled. He might have carried off a great deal more than he actually took, but this he refrained from doing, not wishing to carry such a weight as would hinder the celerity of his movements. When the surgeon returned from the audience hall to his house, he perceived the loss he had suffered. By much exertion he sent off different persons in many directions to search for the thief. He also wrote to the [European] factors living at the seaports. But all his efforts produced no results, for never more was that young man heard of. It may well be that he was robbed by other thieves and his life taken, as on many occasions I have seen happen. I pray the prudent reader not to grow angry at such advice, but if I write it so often, I do it solely to warn any inquiring traveller who may wish to wander through the world, and teach him at others' cost how to look after himself. In voyaging prudence is required, and, above all, patience, for in most instances it is only through the rashness of youth that such difficulties arise ; and men are generally the originators of their own ruin, and may risk even the loss of life. The following story will serve as an example :
353.3.4
When I was a youth [86], at the beginning of Aurangzeb's reign, it was my custom to go out on Thursdays. On that day there is a great concourse of men and ladies of the city [Dihlī], who come out to visit sepulchres and obtain recreation in the gardens of Khwājah Qutb-ud-dīn, outside the city of Dihlī — as I have said before — some to pray and some to enjoy themselves. I, too, went to take the air in those gardens. I was also curious to see certain festivals that it is usual to hold several times in the year in the fields, in gardens, and on the banks of streams, reservoirs, et cetera. While returning one day from the garden of Khwājah Qutb-ud-dīn on the way to my house, I saw a carriage coming a long way off. It withdrew out of the direct road, and went down into the open fields. Seeing this manoeuvre, I assumed that it had moved out of the highway for fear I might do it some harm. I knew that in the carriage was a public dancing-girl; it was surrounded by fifteen pages, and followed by a horseman. Without taking time to reflect, I turned my steps with all possible speed towards the carriage, shouting to it to stop. It paid no attention, however, to my voice, but went on its way peacefully.
353.3.5
Seeing that I was not obeyed, I decided to make a display of courage, so I seized a stick, and, going up to the carriage, gave the pages several blows. Seeing that the game was not a joke, these men followed the example of the horseman, abandoned the carriage, and took to their heels. At that point I raised the cloth that covered the carriage, and saw the dancer. I gave her some abusive language, not forgetting, however, to keep my eyes open to see if any succour was on its way. This precaution of mine was not uncalled for, since at this moment I saw afar off a troop of cavalry coming in my direction. I left the carriage at once, and directed my steps slowly towards the horsemen in question, while I adjusted my turban firmly on my head, and handled my sword to see that it would come easily out of the scabbard, just as if I was making ready for a fight, should I be opposed. During this interval I had drawn near the horsemen, making these preparations meanwhile. They now drew rein; one of them, however, who was in advance, came on towards me. In spite of having his face half concealed, I could see he was a man of some age. When he was near me he spoke to me politely and modestly. However, I gave no answer to his words, and went on my way with my eye fixed steadily on the other horsemen, who were standing still. I believed they meant to bar my way. I was greatly mistaken, however, for on my passing quite close not a man of them said a thing to me.
353.3.6
The following day I made the same excursion, taking my lance with me this time. While I was in a plain of some size and fairly level, I saw [88] the carriage of the previous day a little off the road guarded by some horsemen. I knew at once that these were the same men as before. Nevertheless, not to show I had any fear of them, I would not retrace my steps, but continued my journey, flourishing my lance about a bit until I was quite close to them. Then the elderly horseman, with the greatest politeness and a smiling face, asked the favour of speaking a word with me. Directly I heard the voice I stood still, and turning towards him the point of my lance, I asked what it was he wanted. He answered modestly that he was the brother of Allahwirdí Khan, that he had fallen in love with this dancer, on which account the king had reduced his high pay. Out of love for her he endured all this hardship, and gave up everything. Therefore he asked me the favour of permitting him to go and come freely. Without changing my position I answered that I granted what he asked, on condition, however, of his throwing over the carriage a scarlet covering, so that I might identify it. He answered that he would do so, and went away after saying good-bye.
353.3.7
The man's name was Mirza Arjanj, brother of that Allahwirdí Khãn who betrayed Prince Shãh Shujã' when he delivered battle [89] against Aurangzeb, as will have been already seen in my First Part (I. 230). This Mirzã Arjana (sic), being resolute in not giving up the said dancer, was content that the king should take away two hundred horse from his command and leave him only ten, with twelve thousand rupees of yearly pay. He endeavoured to become friendly with me, but I declined to waste my time on him or put any trust in him.