Storia do Mogor 65.6.7

65.6.7

Something similar happened with the ambassador of the King of Golconda (Gulkhandah). He appeared to Shahjahan to be a man of great wisdom, and he resolved to try an experiment upon him at the public audience. He asked him if the King of Gulkhandah, his master, was the same height as one of his slaves, then actually present and brushing away the flies. The ambassador, understanding what was meant, lifted his eyes and looked at the slave, then spoke boldly to the king : 'My king is four fingers taller than your majesty.' The reply pleased Shahjahan very much, and he praised the ambassador as a loyal vassal and true subject of his king. He remitted three years' payment of the tribute received from the King of Gulkhandah. This tribute amounted to nine hundred thousand rupees. He also gave the ambassador a rich serpad (sarapa) and a handsome horse. I was actually present in the court when this conversation took place.