[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) › 354.9 # Storia do Mogor 354.9 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 354.9 - **Language:** English ### [354.9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.1) The army of Shivã Jí, which had, as I have said {ante, 164), crossed the Narbadã river to the number of forty thousand horse and seven thousand infantry, penetrated into the province of Gujarãt and sacked the city of Ahmadãbãd, from which they acquired considerable treasures. The man Bahãdur Khãn, who, as I said (vide fol. 138), escaped from prison, has now been made Governor of Pelconda (Penukonda). For its defence he keeps on foot fifteen thousand soldiers and all the baggage train and victualling supplies necessary for maintaining himself in the possession of such an important fortress. Let me state here the way in which this fortress fell into the hands of the Shivã Jls (the Mahrattahs) without its costing them a single drop of blood. The commander of the fortress was a Rãjput officer called Rãm Dãs, a friend \[169\] of Bahadur Khãn. He knew very well that this Rãm Dãs had not been paid by the king, and he wrote to him that if he would leave him an opening for entrance into the fort, and allow him to make himself master of it, he would present him with ten thousand rupees, also retaining him and his soldiers at good rates of pay. The commandant accepted the offer, and one morning very early allowed Bahadur Khan to pass in. ### [354.9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.2) He found the governor asleep, seized him where he lay, and confiscated his goods ; he now demands three lakhs of rupees before he will set the captive free. When this enterprise was carried out, and the fortress was quite safe, Shivã Jl's army started again, and laid siege to the city of Sara, where he still is. Dã,ud Khãn, having heard of this progress of his enemy, lives in great dread, and continues his preparations as best he can. At this time orders reached him from the court to watch carefully over and relieve those territories. He is therefore preparing to march, and his pay was raised, the King making him a six hazãri without any regard to the rules of the great emperor Akbar. It is now forty-six years since King Aurangzeb began his campaign against the Mahrattahs, the Kings of Bījāpur and Gulkandah, and other princes and potentates. In the early days of the war he left the command \[170\] in the hands of his generals while he looked after the administration of the empire. But finding that these officers did not act as he wished, and were not energetic enough, in the year 1680, as I have already stated, he took the command of the army in person. It is therefore twenty-six years that this king has been in the field, and during that space of time has effected all the conquests of which I have spoken. ### [354.9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.3) In the month of March, in the year 1706, he withdrew to the city of Aurangãbãd, leaving behind him the fields of these provinces devoid of trees and bare of crops, their place being taken by the bones of men and beasts. Instead of verdure all is blank and barren. The country is so entirely desolated and depopulated that neither fire nor light can be found in the course of a three or four days' journey, and you are in continuous dread of coming across the enemy. When the period fixed by Prince A'zam Tãrã for giving his answer to his Majesty had elapsed (see ante, fol. 168), the reply that he gave was as follows : ' During six-and-twenty years your Majesty with your whole strength and treasure has not been able to subject your enemies as you desired. How, then, can I do it, being a prince of small strength and wealth ? I am not eager to involve myself in an affair of such great importance. My only desire \[171\] is to remain in your presence and serve like any other captain. You ought rather to employ on this enterprise Prince Shãh 'Alam, who is much richer than me, and is supported by four sons.' After hearing his son's arguments, his Majesty made no further suggestion ; things continue up to this time in the same state as before, and the enemy prosecute their undertakings with great success. ### [354.9.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.4) In these days it happened that the foster-brother of Prince Kãn Bakhsh killed one of the royal eunuchs for no other reason than that the man had been insolent. The culprit heard that the king was sending to arrest him, and he took refuge with the prince, who raised no objection to receiving him, and decided to protect him. The king was highly incensed, and, unable to conceal his rage, let the prince know that the man would be brought out of his palace by force. In obedience to command, the prince appeared in his father's presence, but took with him the criminal, they walking arm in arm. In this manner he appeared before the king and cried out aloud that if anyone interfered with the man he would die in his company. When the king beheld this resolute proceeding on his son's part, although his anger was not calmed, he feigned that it was appeased. In soft words he told his son that his favourite's life was granted, and promised that the man should not be molested. ### [354.9.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.5) \[172\] Inconsiderately the prince believed the paternal promises, and released the man from his arms. Hardly had he done so when the prince was seized and disarmed, and his friend also, the prince being locked up in the royal palace and the criminal in another prison. After the lapse of some days the prince was released at the entreaty of his mother, Queen Údepurí. But he received a severe reproof, and was ordered not to appear at court unless sent for by his Majesty. In this mode Aurangzeb showed how great was his anger at this want of obedience to his orders. In March, 1706, Captain Ignatio arrived at Madras; he is the man in whose ship the Lord Patriarch had sailed for Manila, as I have stated (IV. 175). He reported that the Patriarch was received there with great honour, as was due to his office. After three days the governor of the place sent an official to ask him the reason of his coming to Manila. The Patriarch answered that he was on his way to China, where the authority he possessed would be exercised. Before the monsoon came on he set out for China in the ship in which he had arrived, and the city gave him thirty thousand patacas to meet his expenses, while Captain Ignatio was relieved from all harbour dues. Before Captain Ignatio left Madras, I entrusted to him a ceremonious letter for delivery to the Lord Patriarch, with a valuable cordial and an antidote effective \[173\] against every sort of poison and all bites of snakes or other venomous animals. ### [354.9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.6) After the voyage had lasted some days, the captain delivered my letter and present to the Lord Patriarch. As soon as he learnt that they were from me he flew into a rage, and, without opening them or giving them a thought, threw the whole into the sea. The Abate di Sidotti, a man of exceptional virtues, remained behind at Manila, intending subsequently to proceed to Japan. He obtained great support in alms, with which he erected a new college, and gave help to the needy, affording an example of singular piety to the faithful. In the same way the Abate di San Giorgio was helped by alms, in order that he might afford aid to his parents, who were, as he said, very poor. This he did without the harshness with which he had behaved at Madras. When the Patriarch reached China, he was met by courtiers sent by the emperor's orders. They escorted him with all courtesy to the city, and up to this time we do not know what has happened there. ### [354.9.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9.7) This Captain Ignatio, of whom I have just spoken, brought from Manila three dogs, two of which were ferocious, killing men and cattle, and were held in by strong chains; the other was tame, and always followed the captain, of whom it was very fond. It was large and handsome, white in colour. Dā,ūd Khān was told about these dogs, and becoming desirous of possessing them \[174\], he wrote to the governor of this place (Madras), sending a present of a set of robes, and requesting him to procure the dogs which had come from Manila. The governor asked for them from the captain, who gave the two fierce ones, and retained the third for himself. They were sent at once to Dā,ūd Khān, who was highly delighted at seeing them. He set to work at once to test their fierceness, and loosing a bull, they forthwith tore it to pieces. The following day he made the experiment whether they would do the same with men. They were let loose at two criminals, who were torn to pieces in a moment. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.354.9) · Pramāṇa