[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) › [Mongolicae legationis commentarius](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate) › [The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland) › 3 # The Commentary of Father Monserrate 3: Justice. The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland) 3 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1) — 8 parts - [3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2) — 8 parts ### Justice. ### [3.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.1) The King's severity towards errors and misdemeanours committed by officials in the course of government business is remarkable, for he is most stern with offenders against the public faith. Hence all are afraid of his severity, and strive with all their might to do as he directs and desires. For the King has the most precise regard for right and justice in the affairs of government. In accordance with Musalman practice cases are decided by a double process before two judges. However by the King's direction all capital cases, and all really important civil cases also, are conducted before himself. He is easily excited to anger, but soon cools down again. By nature moreover he is kindly and benevolent, and is sincerely anxious that guilt should be punished, without malice indeed, but at the same time without undue leniency. Hence in the cases in which he himself acts as judge the guilty are, by his own directions, not punished until he has given orders for the third time that this shall be done. During the campaign against the king of Chabulum, twelve deserters to the enemy were captured in an ambush near the Bydaspes and brought before the King. He pronounced judgment upon them; some were to be kept in custody in order that their case might be more thoroughly investigated, whilst some were convicted of treachery and desertion and handed over for execution. One of these latter, as he was being hustled off by the executioners, begged for a chance to say something. ### [3.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.2) 'O King,' he said, 'order me not to the gibbet, for nature has bestowed upon me marvellous powers in a certain direction.' 'Well,' said the King, 'in what direction do you thus excel, O miserable wretch?' 'I can sing beautifully.' 'Then sing.' The wretched fellow then began to sing, in a voice so discordant and absurd that everyone began to laugh and murmur, and the King himself could scarcely control his smiles. When the guilty man perceived this, he put in, 'Pardon me this poor performance, O King. For these guards of yours dragged me along so roughly and cruelly, on a hot and dusty road, and pummelled me so brutally with their fists, that my throat is full of dust, and my voice so husky that I cannot do myself justice in singing.' The King rewarded this witty saying with such signal grace that for the sake of this one man he pardoned both the fellow himself and his companions. ### [3.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.3) The following are the ways in which the guilty are punished. Those who have committed a capital crime are either crushed by elephants, impaled, or hanged. Seducers and adulterers are either strangled or gibbeted. The King has such a hatred of debauchery and adultery that neither influence nor entreaties nor the great ransom which was offered would induce him to pardon his chief trade commissioner, who although he was already married had violently debauched a well-born Brahman girl. The wretch was by the King's order remorselessly strangled. Although Muhammad did not forbid unnatural crimes, yet Zelaldinus punished those who are guilty of such crimes by savage scourging with leather thongs. ### [3.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.4) There are two ministers of justice, one primary, and the other for appeals. There is also a chief magistrate. Judgment is delivered only verbally, and is not recorded in writing. Ordinary criminals are kept under guard in irons, but not in prison. Princes sentenced to imprisonment are sent to the jail at Goaleris, where they rot away in chains and filth. Noble offenders are handed over to other nobles for punishment, but the base-born either to the captain of the despatch runners, or to the chief executioner. This latter official is equipped even in the palace and before the King with many instruments of punishment, such as leather thongs, whips, bow-strings fitted with sharp spikes of copper, a smooth block of wood used for pounding the criminals sides or crushing to pieces his skull, and scourges in which are tied a number of small balls studded with sharp bronze nails, (this latter weapon must I think be the one called by the ancients the scorpion). However no one is actually punished with these instruments, which seem to be intended rather to inspire terror than for actual use. For the same reason various kinds of chains, manacles, handcuffs and other irons are hung up on one of the palace gateways, which is guarded by the afore-mentioned chief executioner. The other three gateways are guarded by the chief doorkeeper, the chief trainer of gladiators, and the chief despatch-runner respectively. ### [3.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.5) It is the duty of the orderlies to manage the water-clocks and to strike the time on bronze gongs. These water-clocks consist of a brazen vessel filled with water, and a hollow bronze cone of such a size that exactly a quarter of an hour is taken for the water to fill it through a small hole in the bottom. This cone is placed on the top of the vessel filled with water, and the water runs in through the hole in its bottom. When the cone is full, it sinks, and thus shows that a quarter of an hour has elapsed. Everything that goes on in the palace is regulated by this clock. At fixed hours, namely before dawn when the cocks begin to crow, and in the evening, a barbaric din is kept up for the space of a full hour by means of trumpets, bugles, drums, rattles, bells and the like. Amongst the despatch-runners are certain couriers who in one day can run on foot as far as a horseman can ride at full speed. They are said to have their livers removed in infancy, in order to prevent their suffering from shortness of breath. They practise running in shoes made of lead, or train themselves by repeatedly lifting their feet and moving their legs (whilst remaining standing still in one place) till their heels touch their buttocks. When their leaden shoes are removed, they are seen to be magnificent runners, by the help of whose swiftness the King can very rapidly and regularly obtain news or send orders on any matter touching the peace of his realm. And this realm is indeed a vast one. ### [3.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.6) On the north and in the direction of the Circius it is bounded by Mount Imaus (which is now called by its inhabitants Cumaunius), by the river Indus, and by the Paharopanisus. In the south its limits are the Gangetic gulf and various inland regions which adjoin the territories of Narsinga and Bisnaga to the north of the Pandae. Further west its southern boundary is found by Ariacum, which lies next Goa, and Cuncanum, which is now called Canaia, and the country of the Sedani, who live close to Xeulum and are called Deccanici. In the west it is bounded by the coast of Gedrosia and the Indian Ocean, and in the east by the regions of the Emodi which extend far towards the sunrise, and by the great estuary of the Ganges, which flows from the same mountains as the Jomanes, but from a different fountain-head and by a different course. However I must remind the reader that my task is not a general description of India, but merely an account of the empire of Equebarus. Of late he has added to that empire, partly by force of arms and partly by voluntary surrender, most of Gedrosia. Hence it may well be believed that the circuit of the whole of his dominions is more than 20,000 miles, and that they lie in the heart of what the ancients called 'India within the Ganges,' the land which according to the historians of antiquity, was reached by Alexander the Macedonian, and which was first evangelized, according to the Christian Fathers, by St. Bartholomew. St. ### [3.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.7) Thomas is said also to have lived in the coastal district. This empire is very beautiful and healthy, although in many places not well provided with fruit trees. On account of the diversity of the climate in different parts it produces many and various types of crops. Thus in the southern area or zone (as geographers would call it), the same crops are found as in the maritime district (near Goa). But the farther one goes towards the north the more similar does one find the staple products to those of Europe, though indeed the following are the only representatives of the long list of European fruits and trees which grow in India with real exuberance (and these only on the Himalaya range), viz. the grape, the peach, the mulberry, the fig (in a few places), and the pine tree. The whole country bears pomegranates in abundance. The Cotonian apple, the pear and similar fruits are imported from Persia. Rice, wheat, millet and pulse are produced in great quantities. Amongst a great number of non-fruit-bearing trees, I recognised as European only the plane, though there are willows in Indoscythia. In many places in the neighbourhood of the Indus flax and hemp are sown. The plant which is commonly called 'bangue,' and which when used as a drink produces intoxication and stupefaction of the mind and senses, has leaves very similar to those of the hemp-plant. It does not however grow on one stalk only, but has a low stem, from which spring a number of other branches, like a bush. ### [3.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.8) Indigo and opium are largely grown in the south, and bring no small profit to the royal revenues. Indigo is a plant from which a juice is extracted yielding a blue dye when it hardens. The vernacular name means (as in Persian also) 'blue,' but the Portuguese have added a letter, calling the plant 'anilum' instead of 'nilum.' ### [3.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.1) This empire of India, which the Turks call Industan, used in times past to be ruled by Christian kings. Our ancestors, owing to their ignorance of India before it was explored by the Portuguese used to call these kings the Indian Presbyter Johns; and there were many silly and superstitious tales told concerning them. The fact that no single trace of Christianity remains in all this vast area, comprising so many different regions, shows with what bitter hostility the Musalmans treat Christians, their religion, and their sacred buildings and institutions. For in the time of Timur Beg, i.e. 187 years ago, this Christian dynasty was still established in India. Indeed there are still relics of Christianity to be found in the recesses of the Himalayas, where the Musalmans have never penetrated : at least so say the Jogues, who are great travellers, though indeed they are untrustworthy witnesses, telling many downright falsehoods, and mixing a little truth with much fiction. For some of these Jogues, who were questioned by the priests about the Himalayas, said that the range was steep and hard to climb, but at the top flat and suited to human habitation. They also declared that on the bank of a certain lake, which is called by the local inhabitants Mansariior, there is a very ancient city, in which lives a race of people who meet together in a special building every eighth day to offer the sacrifices and prayers which form their religion. ### [3.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.2) The men sit, with crossed legs (as is the custom of the country), on the right-hand side of the sacred building from the door-way to the shrine, and the women on the left-hand side. A man clothed in a linen garment sits, also with crossed legs, in a higher place at the middle of the top end of the building ; and in front of him is placed a low table bearing two golden vessels, one of which contains wine and the other bread. This man reads something from a book, to which the others give replies ; he then delivers an address and finally the people rise one after the other from their places, first the men and then the women, making no noise and preserving due order. They approach the priest and receive from him a small crust of bread and a draught of wine. Then they return to their seats. When all has been accomplished, each returns home. The priests would have carefully examined this whole matter, had not the end of the mission frustrated their design. Zelaldinus the Great acquired his empire partly from his ancestors and partly from many petty chieftains whom his own conquests overthrew. This matter is worth going into further. ### [3.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.3) The grandsons of Temur were compelled, by financial difficulties, by frequent rebellions of their miscellaneous and ill-regulated army (which was forcibly enrolled from the lands they had conquered), by constant attacks from Persians, Parthians, and Turks, and finally by continual treachery amongst their own adherents, to retreat to the territories whence their grandfather Temur had burst forth — that is to the region of Bactria and Sogdiana, whose chief cities are Samarcanda, Boccora and Balcum. When their affairs somewhat improved, they began — as is the way with kings — to plan fresh conquests. They were prevented by the power of the Turks and the Persians from attacking Media, Asia Minor or Armenia ; and hence began to harry Paharopanisus, Indoscythia and India, regions then ruled by the Patanaei. The Patanaei of the Paharopanisus and Indoscythia were first subdued, and the descendants of Temur established their capital at Chabulum in order to be the better prepared for crushing the remainder of the Patanaei. In this enterprise Baburus, the grandfather of Zelaldinus, and a great and famous soldier whose warlike prowess rivalled that of his ancestor Temur, was so markedly successful as to drive the Patanaei from almost the whole of their Indian dominions, confining them to a few small outlying principalities. ### [3.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.4) However, being somewhat rash and improvident, Baburus suffered a disaster at the hands of his own subjects not less crushing than that which he had inflicted on the Patanaei. For he was deprived of the realm of Samarcanda by a traitor, whom he had appointed governor with full powers during his own absence. Baburus was succeeded by Emaumus, who was attacked by the Patanaei whilst he was carrying on a war in Gedrosia. For these Patanaei, who are great warriors, were mindful of the disaster which they had suffered at the hands of Baburus. They were longing also to return to their native land, from which they had been exiled in great numbers, and were incited by the hope of certain victory. Their attack was so successful that they recovered all that Baburus had conquered, and even compelled Emaumus to treat with them about the whole position of affairs. Being in these acute difficulties Emaumus went as a suppliant to the king of Persia, the founder of the new sect already mentioned, and begged him for assistance. The said king gave him troops, under a famous general, on condition that Emaumus gave him his own name and assumed the Persian type of turban. These conditions Emaumus accepted, and with the resources thus acquired re-conquered all that the Patanaei had occupied, and moreover kept these Patanaei in check through the courage of his Persian general. ### [3.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.5) However he died as the result of the fall at Delinum, which I have already mentioned, at a time when his son Zelaldinus was at Agra. The Persian general had been rendered insolent by the favour of the dead king, who used to declare that he owed all his recovered good fortune to him alone, and was even accustomed to call him his father. He thus endeavoured to usurp the throne. ### [3.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.6) Hearing that Zelaldinus had been hailed as king by the citizens of Agra, he was greatly annoyed, and began to favour the accession of Mirsachimus, the second son of Emaumus, who had become king of Chabulum. However whilst he was meditating these designs, Zelaldinus, who was a resolute and vigorous young man, anticipated his treachery, and learning that the Persian was hesitating attacked him unawares and captured him after a pitched battle. He did not however put the prisoner to death, but spared him on account of his services to his father and himself in restoring to them their kingdom when it had been overrun by the Patanaei. This clemency led to the revolt of many of his father's vassal-chieftains. However after the defeat of the Persian, it was easy for Zelaldinus to finish off the war which had been originated by his grandfather and successfully continued by his father. For by combining his original army, by whose help he had defeated the Persian, with the latter's troops, who had gladly transferred their allegiance to himself, he conquered the Gaccares, the Cambovi, the Baloches, the Rattoi, the Rasputes, the Geratae, and the Patanaei (whose king David was slain in battle). Afterwards he also subdued the Indoscythians and Mongols who supported his nephew. Finally he defeated the Caspirii. I shall forbear to enumerate the cities, towns and districts which he occupied, and the other princes whom he conquered; for their names are outlandish and unpronounceable. ### [3.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.7) To say something about Indian towns:—they appear very pleasant from afar; for they are adorned with many towers and high buildings, in a very beautiful manner. But when one enters them, one finds that the narrowness, aimless crookedness, and ill-planning of the streets deprive these cities of all beauty. Moreover the houses are purposely built without windows on account of the filth of the streets. None the less the rich adorn the roofs and arched ceilings of their houses with carvings and paintings: plant ornamental gardens in their courtyards: make tanks and fish-ponds, which are lined with tiles of various colours: construct artificial springs and fountains, which fling showers of water far into the air: and lay down promenades paved with brickwork or marble. Yet such houses will show nothing in their facades or entrances by which the eye of the passer-by might be attracted, and nothing by which it might be known that inside is anything out of the ordinary. The Brachmanae have another style of architecture; but they also beautify their houses with cleverly executed statues and sculptures of fabulous heroes and monsters either in wood or stone. They never forget to carve or paint somewhere on their buildings (generally on the capitals of the columns) the crested snake, which is called by the Portuguese the 'cuckoo-serpent,' and which I believe to be the Egyptian asp. ### [3.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.2.8) The common people live in lowly huts and tiny cottages: and hence if a traveller has seen one of these cities, he has seen them all. The ideas of government entertained by the Brachmanae and the Musalmans in Zelaldinus' empire differ widely. For the Brachmanae govern liberally, through a senate and council of the common people: but the Musalmans have no council or senators, everything being decided by the arbitrary will of the governor appointed by the King. \[Here follow 23 pages of somewhat unreliable tales concerning Chingiz Khan, Timur, the Scythians, etc. See Appendix.\] Thus I have written an account as full and careful, and (be it said without pride) as accurate as the demands of brevity and clearness would allow, of the purpose of Zelaldinus in summoning the priests, of their transactions with the King and his religious doctors, of the cause and conduct of the war with Mirsachimus : then of the return of the priests, and of the murder of Rudolf : next of the King's character (both at home and in the field), of his intellectual gifts, of his majestic deportment, and of his wars. Finally I have described his native land, and the brave and warlike stock to which he belongs. Thus I seem to have reached the end of my labour : and may it prove to have been to some at least a useful labour. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3) · Pramāṇa