[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) › 356.3 # Storia do Mogor 356.3 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 356.3 - **Language:** English ### [356.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.1) \[203\] The old king never ceases issuing his orders for the suppression of all these disorders, but they little profit him. He lives in constant dread that his sons A'zam Tãrã and Kãm Bakhsh may rise against him; hence, as an impediment to any such revolt, he sends out the larger part of his troops to fight under the standards of generals, ordering them away on expeditions first in one direction, then in another. In the month of November, 1706, the old king fell ill once more, and for five days did not appear in audience. This illness was the cause of an outbreak in the army, men thinking the king was dead. Already many officers had gone over to the side of Prince A'zam Tãrã, others had adopted that of Kãm Bakhsh, while the rest made ready to lay hands upon all they could find. The astute old man was told of these things, and, ailing and weak though he was, had himself carried to audience on a small throne propped up by a number of cushions, and having men behind to hold him so that he should not fall. As soon as he made his appearance the instruments of music began to sound, and by the beating of the drums the army was informed that the king was alive and was engaged in giving audience. Thus the mutiny was stayed, which until that time had gone on increasing. ### [356.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.2) The sagacious old man, thus seated on the throne, gave first some orders to the chief wazir. He then had recourse to an artifice such as had been customary with him in early years. Taking his handkerchief, he pressed it upon his eyes and pretended to cry. This act raised acute compassion among the bystanders; and whether it were genuine or merely a stroke of clever policy, they demanded the cause of his grief. Aurangzeb then removed the handkerchief from his eyes, and, tears running down his face, said: 'I weep bitter tears, and grief overwhelms me at finding myself so feeble, also because I foresee much destruction and many innocent deaths. The chief anxiety which torments me is that my prayers are unanswered wherein I ask God daily to take me from this world.' ### [356.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.3) Having said this much, he straightway fell to weeping again, and with many sighs went on with his story. 'Last night Muhammad appeared to me and told me I was unreasonable in calling for death, since God had decided that I should live another thirty years. The Creator had thus decreed, and my insistence could not prevail.' The astute king had invented this fable, so that if he fell ill again and was unable to appear in public, there should be no disturbance in the army, they being persuaded that he had so many years yet to live. He never doubted that all his words would be swallowed by everyone, since he knew that the majority of people held him to be a saint and a truthful man. As for myself, I have not a doubt that this fable of Aurangzeb's was rejected as untrue by all the princes. At this audience the traders of Surat appeared again to supplicate his Majesty to get them back the trade which had been stopped by the Dutch, as I have already stated (V., fols. 4, 167). His Majesty ordered twelve lakhs of rupees to be paid to the Dutch, with which they must be content. The Dutch agreed to accept the amount and cease to blockade the trade of the port. They had suffered no loss, having at various times taken possession of several valuable prizes. In this way they had triumphed. ### [356.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.4) I now state what happened to me. On December 15 in the year 1706 it was the pleasure of the Divine Power to remove from this world my wife, with whom I had lived more than twenty years. The grief I underwent at that melancholy moment I neither know how to, nor ought I to, recount. All I will say is that it was the more profound for never having been experienced before. But, just as it appears to be the way of the world that sad events always come in company, and are never solitary, on the 29th of the same month Monsieur Martin died; he was the Governor of Pondicherry, nowadays called Fort St. Louis. By this second death I was plunged into nearly the same grief. He had been very much my friend, my true and ancient friend, and I had received from him great—very great—kindness, civility, and honour. \[206\] Still, in spite of all these misfortunes, I was able to console myself by placing reliance on the Divine will. Very few days had passed before there came upon me an occasion of still greater depression and sorrow. I know it to be a manifest injustice, not to be supported by those who cherish the slightest zeal for innocence. I see the true servants of God persecuted, men who have undergone the greatest labour for His service. These priests have never caused the least scandal, or given anyone the smallest occasion of murmuring against their doings; nor is it right that their work of charity should be censured. ### [356.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.5) To this state are the Capuchins of Madras reduced, flagellated by enemies of the soul's welfare and of the propagation of the Christian faith; solely, as I believe, because they are, as befits an Apostolic missionary and a parish priest, zealous for the good of souls and the honour of the Christian religion. Yet their merits are known to all, and as blameless priests they are praised by everyone. The inhabitants of Madras are ready to bear witness to how much they have done there, and what they endure for the profit of the Christians. Who is there who does not know that Madras is a city of considerable size, with very scattered and rather populous suburbs? Yet the Capuchins, by night as well as by day, move about and attend there upon everyone. They are present assiduously at confession, both of the healthy and the sick, administering holy unction and all the other sacraments. They help the widow and the fatherless, supporting them with alms. In addition to all this they also keep open two schools, one for the Portuguese and Latin tongues, the other for the Malabar (Tamil) language. ### [356.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3.6) Nor do they overlook the needs of the poor mendicants, of whom there is in this city a plentiful supply. They help the travellers of many nations, and on every holy day and Sunday console Christian souls by their virtuous preaching. This is the manner in which they have acted, and for this they are persecuted instead of being praised and rewarded. The truth of these things can be discovered by a brief relation that I shall give of what has lately happened, and let it serve as a stimulus to those whose business it is to see these grave disorders remedied, for the consolation of the newly-converted Christians, and of those others who might wish to embrace our holy faith. For I am a good witness to the fact that, owing to these persecutions, a very large number of those once eager to become Christians have changed their minds. \[Note by Senhor Cardeira. — 'Here follows the relation of the persecution in the French language.' Folio 208 is blank.\] --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.356.3) · Pramāṇa