Storia do Mogor 354.6.7

354.6.7

This discussion took various turns, and in the end Dã,ud Khãn announced that if they gave him one hundred thousand rupees he would leave them alone. This settlement was not accepted by the French of Pondicherry; they were resolute to pay nothing, and began to prepare for defence [154]. At the same time, Governor Martin did not relax his efforts to adjust the claim; and, with the aid of some friends, he succeeded in settling matters. Up to the present time Dã,ud Khãn has done him no injury, although he has uttered many threats. But that is what they always do. The prince of Maisur was aware that, as soon as the rainy season was over, King Aurangzeb would make war upon him. He therefore made ready to resist him with a force of fifteen thousand horsemen of different tribes — Pathãns, Rãjputs, and Moguls, et cetera. The whole of these men came out of the Mogul empire; not finding employment at that court, they went and took service with this prince. I do not believe that these men will be faithful to him; on the contrary, I know that Aurangzeb, following his custom, will be sure to invite them to desert to his standard by an offer of higher pay, if he has not done this already, as he has practised in the kingdoms of Bījāpur and Gulkandah, and in other principalities.