Storia do Mogor 65.10.8

65.10.8

Dārā was very fond of Europeans. Added to this, as everyone knew, he held to no religion. When with Mahomedans, he praised the tenets of Muḥammad ; when with Jews, the Jewish religion; in the same way, when with Hindus, he praised Hinduism. This is why Aurangzeb styled him Cafar (Kāfir) — that is to say, ' The Infidel.' At the same time he had great delight in talking to the Jesuit fathers on religion, and making them dispute with his learned Mahomedans, or with a Hebrew called Cermad (Sarmad), an atheist much liked by the prince. This man went always naked, except when he appeared in the presence of the prince, when he contented himself with a piece of cloth at his waist. He (Dārā) much delighted in hearing the fathers overcome everyone with their arguments : in my time the fathers who were at the court of the prince Dārā were three. The first was named Father Estanilas Malpica, a Neapolitan; the second, Father Pedro Juzarte, a Portuguese; and the third, Father Henriques Buzeo, a Flamand. The last was much loved by the prince, and every time he went to court he received fifty rupees and two shawls. Of this father, who was much cherished and esteemed by all the nobles, I shall have to speak again (I. 259, II. 117). On some occasions Dara drank with the fathers, for this prince was fond of wine-drinking, but did it discreetly.