Storia do Mogor 48.6

48.6

I came out from the prince's presence. Although Dara desired that Khwājah Miskīn should teach me the court ceremonial in order to turn me into a courtier, I took means to prevent my being made into a Mahomedan. So I did not go to seek out the said Khwājah Miskīn, but kept in the company of the Europeans. Some of these were surgeons, but the greater number artillerymen in the Mogul service, an honourable employment. For European artillerymen who took service in that branch had only to take aim; as for all the rest — the fatigue of raising, lowering, loading, and firing — this was the business of artificers [55] or labourers kept for the purpose. However, when Aurangzeb came to the throne, he, seeing the insolent behaviour and the drunkenness of such-like men, deprived them of all their privileges, except that of distilling spirits, and forced them to do sentry duty like other soldiers, thus leaving them with no estimation or reputation in the army. But the old plan continued in force up to the evacuation of the fortress of Bacar (Bhakkar) and the beheadal of Prince Dara, as further on I shall relate (I., 254, 258).