Storia do Mogor 356.2.5

356.2.5

Let us return to the ambassadors of the King of Pegu and see what happened to them. They started from Madras with the intention of attending the court of the Great Mogul, as their king had directed. When they reached the camp of Dã,ud Khãn, they were prevented from going farther until they had agreed to put on better clothing than what they were wearing, and they were told that if they wanted to go to court they must ask permission ; otherwise they might return at once whence they came. This order had been received by Dã,úd Khãn from Aurangzeb, who also directed the purchase of one hundred elephants. These were to be sent in company with the ambassadors, on the condition, however, that the latter had changed their style of dress. When the ambassadors found that their progress to the court was barred, they decided to dress themselves in another way. They ordered some fine clothes and put shoes on their feet, covering their heads with a hat of straw having extended and rather wide wings, of which the lacquered crown was in shape something like a reversed flower-pot. Pictures of them thus attired were sent to his Majesty. Thus accoutred, and with the above-named retinue of one hundred elephants, which Dā,ud Khān had bought, they were sent on to court.