[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) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster) › 19.8 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.8 The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 19.8 - **Language:** English ### [19.8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.1) August 29. — The king went to Hauaz Jemall, and so a hunting. Ther was taken a resolution to remooue to Mandoe, a Castell neare Bramport, wher is no towne; for that Sultan Paruis, beeing come from the warr in disgrace, and beeing with his trayne neare Adsmere, the king Commanded him to Bengale, excusing himselfe to bee seene, and soe hauing dispatched him without such incomodytie as was feared would arise if the two brothers mett, he entended him selfe to settle Sultan Carome in the warrs of Decan, to which all the Cheefest were soe Contrary that the king feared to send him downe (as was the resolution some monthes past) and therfore dissembled it vntill the other Prince were withdrawne and hee established by his owne Countenance, Comming so neare as Mandoa: which remooue, if it proceed, will putt vs to extreame trouble and Cost, for that wee must build a new house both for our selues and goodes, the Castell standing on a hill without any other buildings neare yt. ### [19.8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.2) August 30. — The king returned in the night, and about 11 a Clock sent mee a very fatt wild boare, and so great that hee desiered the tuskes back, with this messadge that he kyld it with his owne hand, and that therfore I should eate it merrilye and make good Cheare. This occasion Iaddowe, that was sent for to the king to bring yt, tooke to tell Asaph chan that I desiered to visitt him on the morow, and hoped to receiue from his handes the Priuiledges granted by the king. He answered hee could not dispatch them so soone, but that they should on Sunday be sealed, and that he was loath to see me vntill he had giuen me Content. August 31. — I went to the Durbar to visitt the king, and there I acquaynted Asaph chan with the newes I had receiued of our fleete at Socatra, that therfore in all probabilytyes they might by that day bee arriued at Suratt : that his long delay had much hindered our busines, for that I was resolued neyther presents nor goodes should be landed before I had receiued them. Hee acquainted the king with the Comming of our fleete but with no Complaynt against him selfe, protesting on the Morrowe I should bee dispatched. This day I receiued aduise from Agra, wher no Cloth no\[r\] Comoditye would vent, insomuch that factory spent moore then they tooke and is needlesse vntill the season of investing ; but I had no power to saue you many a thousand Rupies, ### [19.8.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.3) September 1. — I sent for my Priuiledges, but receiuing another excuse of the kinges Natiuitye and a great feast for two dayes, I resolued I was abused, and so tooke this way to serue the present necessitye : I went to the Prince, whose Port wee were att and with whom September 2. was our greatest busines, for what Priuiledges soeuer I obteyned without his fauour wee should still bee subiect to vexation and Iniury ; I acquaynted him with the nearenes of our fleete, desiering his Command for their entertaynment and good vsadge, and that hee would grant vs such priuiledges as I would propound, or els I was resolued not to dischardge there. ### [19.8.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.4) Hee began roundly : that the former yeare he had beene neglected : that hee had Chosen that Gouerment only for the Ports sake, and yet euery body, eauen his owne men, were serued before him, which hee tooke in ill part : but if I would vndertake to him that whatsoeuer toyes came to bee sould might be first showed to him, hee would grant mee my full desiers and giue such order that no man should in any sort molest vs, promising to take nothing from vs, only to satisfye his Curiositye : and to that end hee would giue mee a firmaen that whatsoeuer I would send for should come vntouched, unseene to my handes, soe that I would bringe them before him. I replyed concerning his fathers presents, and such others. Hee agreed to all reason, and requiring mee to giue him vnder my hand on the morrow my promises and demandes and hee would Confirme them, so that I should find him our best frend ; soe with very good vsadges I departed. The promise and Conditions I drew the sam day and putt them into Persian for the Morrowe. This day was the Birth of the king and solemnized as a great feast, wherin the king is weighed against some lewelles, gould, siluer, stuffs of goulde \[and ?\] siluer, silke, butter, rice, frute, and many other things, of euery sort a little, which is giuen to the Bramini. To this solemnitye the king commanded Asaph chan to send for mee, who so doeing appoynted mee to come to the Place wher the king sitts out at Durbarr, and there I should bee sent for in. ### [19.8.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.5) But the Messenger mistaking, I went not vntill Durbarr tyme ; and soe missed the sight. But beeing there before the king came out, as soone as hee spyed mee, hee sent to knowe the reason why I came not in, hee having geuen order. I answered according to the error, but hee was extreame angry and Chydd Asaph chan publiquely. He was so rich in lewelles that I must confesse I neuer saw togither so vnvaluable wealth. The tyme was spent in bringing of his greatest Eliphantes before him, some of which, beeing Lord Eliphants, had their chaynes, belles, and furniture of Gould and siluer, attended with many guilt banners and flagges, and 8 or 10 Eliphantes wayting on him clothed in gould, silke, and siluer. Thus passed about twelve Companyes most richly furnished, the first having all the plates on his head and breast sett with rubyes and Emeraldes, beeing a beast of a woonderfull stature and beauty. They all bowed downe befor the king, making reuerence very handsomly, and was a showe as woorthy as I euer saw any of beasts only. The keepers of euery Chefe Eliphant gaue a present. So with gratious complements to mee he rose and went in. At night about 10 of the Clock hee sent for mee. I was abedd. The message was : hee hard I had a picture which I had not showed him, desiering mee to Come to him and bring yt, and if I would not giue it him, yet that hee might see yt and take Coppyes for his wiues. I rose and carryed yt with mee. ### [19.8.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.6) When I came in I found him sitting crosse leggd on a little throne, all cladd in diamondes, Pearles, and rubyes ; before him a table of gould, on yt about 50 Peeces of gould plate sett all with stones, some very great and extreamly rich, some of lesse valew, but all of them almost couered with small stones ; his Nobilitye about him in their best equipage, whom hee Commanded to drinck froliquely, seuerall wynes standing by in great flagons. When I came neare him, hee asked for the Picture. I showed him two. Hee seemed astonished at one of them ; and demanded whose it was. I answered a frend of myne that was dead. Hee Asked mee if I would giue it him. I replied that I esteemed it more then any thing I possessed, because it was the Image of one that I loued dearly and Could neuer recouer : but that if his Maiestie would pardon mee my fancy and accept of the other, which was a french picture but excellent woorke, I would most willingly giue it him. Hee sent me thancks, but that it was that only picture hee desiered, and loued as well as I, and that if I would giue it him hee would better esteeme of it then the richest Iewell in his house. I answered I was not soe in loue with anything that I would refuse to Content his Maiestie : I was extreame glad to doe him seruice, and if I could giue him a better demonstration of my affection, which was my hart to doe him seruice, I was ready to present it to him. ### [19.8.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8.7) At which hee bowed to mee and replyed it was sufficient that I had giuen it : that hee confessed hee neuer sawe so much arte, so much bewty, and Conjured mee to tell him truly whither euer such a woeman liued. I assuered him ther did one liue that this did resemble in all things but perfection, and was now dead. He returned mee that hee tooke my willingnes very kindly, but that, seeing I had soe freely giuen him that I esteemed so much, hee would not robb mee of yt : only hee would show yt his ladyes and cause his woorkmen to make him 5 Coppyes, and if I knew myne owne I should have yt. I answered I had freely and willingly giuen it and was extreamly gladd of his Maiesties acceptance. He replyed hee would not take yt : that hee loued mee the better for louinge the remembrance of my frende, and knew what an injurye it was to take it from mee ; by noe means hee would not keepe yt, but only take copyes, and with his owne hand hee would returne yt, and his wiues should weare them ; for indeed in that arte of limninge his Paynters woorke miracles. The other beeing in oyle he liked not. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.19.8) · Pramāṇa