[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) › 63.4 # Storia do Mogor 63.4 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 63.4 - **Language:** English ### [63.4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.1) They passed through the roads where were posted the armed horsemen sent to slay Mahabat Khan; but no one attempted to use force for fear the Rajput might decapitate the king. Thus the king entered into his general's house. The queen and the court expected that Mahabat Khan, having killed Jahangir, would crown himself king, and all the city was in great confusion. But Mahabat Khan had other intentions. Therefore on arrival at the house he made his king take a seat in the best place in his mansion, while he himself stood humbly and respectfully, waiting on him and offering him various fruits and perfumes. ### [63.4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.2) The king showed great desire for wine, and wanted the queen. But Mahabat Khan said wine-drinking was not good, and as for the queen, she would come, but for the present he should take repose. The night passed without his getting any wine. Everyone expected that Mahabat Khan would declare himself king, but when the morning came this loyal subject had a long talk with the king. He demonstrated to him that, to deliver himself from death and save his own life, he was forced to make use of this means and attempt more than he designed. He had made use of his majesty's person as a refuge from the hands of traitors. He complained much about his mode of government, telling him that it was indecorous to let a woman govern the empire. He gave him other reproofs, and declared himself a loyal vassal; after saying this he drew his sword, presented it to the king, and, placing himself on his knees, said that if the king held him culpable in any degree, or was himself to the slightest extent offended, he could order his head to be cut off with the very sword which had been dedicated to the defence of his royal person. ### [63.4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.3) Jahangir, finding him so submissive, took him to his arms and said he need not be afraid, no one should harm him; he gave his word and swore on the Quran to hold him ever as his most loyal servant. He would therefore defend him against everybody, and declared himself much obliged for the good advice he had received. As further confirmation of his love, Jahangir ordered the queen to come to his place of detention. Mahabat Khan prepared a magnificent banquet, which lasted for three days. The queen presented him with many gifts, swearing to hold him always in favour and acknowledge him for the most loyal vassal in the whole kingdom. The king increased the rank of Mahabat Khan, and until this day this family still exists at the Mogul Court in considerable dignity. I had a great friendship with the son of this Mahabat Khan, who also had the same title. He was a general much esteemed by the king, Shahjahan, but further on I will say something more about him (I., 212) \[115\]. ### [63.4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.4) Jahangir was by nature very generous and grandiose; the least sum he ever ordered to be given to anyone was one hundred thousand rupees; nor was it seldom that he made this present; he did so many times, just as if it were of no account, while it is a large amount. The king ordered one hundred thousand rupees to be laid on the ground so that he might see what height it had. This was done. The wazir believed that on seeing its bulk he would be more chary of ordering the giving of so much coin. It was the contrary that happened, for he said he had thought one hundred thousand rupees would take up more space; and thus, from this time, when he made a gift, he ordered the double to be given of what he had given before. The wazir repented of having thought he could thereby check the king's extravagance. ### [63.4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.5) It happened that a French trader called Monsieur Bravet brought from Europe some bric-a-brac, which, although curious, was of little money value, hoping to sell it to the king. Jahangir, who was well inclined to Europeans, directed that the whole of the things should be bought, and whatever the sum the owner asked should be paid to him. This was done accordingly, and they paid him thirty thousand rupees, which are equal to fifteen thousand patacas. Afterwards all the things were laid before the king, who was much delighted with such a set of curiosities. Among the other trinkets was a very tiny padlock, which Jahangir took in his hands, and admiring it, said such a padlock was not the work of human hands, but of angels. He added that no one but the King of Hindustan could pay the price of it, and after many exaggerated words he directed them to give the merchant thirty thousand rupees more, for the padlock alone was worth the whole of the money. To get presents or rewards from this king it sufficed to say some witty thing, whereupon he would give elephants and a number of rupees. ### [63.4.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.6) While Jahangir was a liberal giver, neither was he reluctant to allow any and every one to approach his person. It seemed as if this king was born to be a contrast to the pride of his father, who never spoke to anyone but the grandees. On the contrary, this king often walked about alone and in disguise. It happened one evening that he went into a tavern, where he found a man singing and already merry from the wine he had drunk. The king was pleased at seeing so much mirth, and seating himself near the man, made himself his friend and drank along with him. After several drinks the king asked his new friend what he was called. He answered that his name was Alexandre (Alexander or Sikandar), the weaver, and gave him directions as to where he lived. After complimentary speeches on one side and the other \[114\] the king demanded food and more wine. The weaver, in gratitude to such an excellent comrade, invited him to come next day to his house, as he wished to regale him. Thus they took leave of each other with many civilities. ### [63.4.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.7) The following day the king rode out on his elephant to find the rendezvous. He ordered them to pass through the street where the weaver lived. At the time the royal cavalcade and the elephants were passing Sikandar was busy attending to his preparations for the day's work, with a hammer in his hand, knocking into the ground the pegs to which his ropes were to be fastened. The messengers asked him where Sikandar the weaver lived; the king had come in search of him to dine with him. Recognising that, without a doubt, the man who had eaten with him the day before must be the king, he fell into perplexity. He pretended that he had not heard. The king had now come close, while the messengers insisted on his answering and telling them where Sikandar lived. Without lifting his eyes, and as if he did not know what they wanted, he exclaimed in a loud voice: 'Anyone relying on a drunken man deserves a severe blow with this hammer.' The king laughed heartily at this response, and ordered them to give him a reward, which was so great that he ceased to work as a weaver. ### [63.4.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.8) A similar case occurred with a drunkard who, meeting the king on his elephant, began afar off to shout out, asking whether he wanted to sell his elephant. Jahangir gave an order that the drunkard be detained and brought the next day into his presence. When the man was produced, he was asked if he wanted to buy the elephant. The reply was that 'the purchaser was outside; he was nothing more than the broker.' The king was pleased with the answer, and rewarded him with an elephant. It was not only this once that the king showed himself capable of making light of regal pomp, for many times he did similar things, in scorn of the pride and imperturbability of the great nobles. Sometimes he passed through the city upon his elephant, followed by many elephants, on which meat was being cooked, or wine and drinking-cups, bread, a supply of pickles, and small boxes of fruit, were carried. Others bore musicians, instruments, and drums, making a great noise. Jahangir sat eating and drinking. ### [63.4.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4.9) One day he came with this array into the royal square, where there was a crowd of mendicants called 'Bequed' (Be-qaid, 'emancipated'). When they beheld the king, they cried with loud voices: 'Oh! you eat by yourself and drink without sharing with us.' On hearing this, the king descended from his elephant and sat himself down in the midst of them, eating and drinking, accompanied by music and mirth. The faqirs, who had already been drinking, began to give every one of them his criticism on the manner in which he ought to govern. Having listened patiently until they had finished talking, he fell a-weeping, and sent them on their way. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.63.4) · Pramāṇa