Travels in India (Tavernier) 10.7

10.7

The Dervish having learnt from his brother how the affair had passed, in order to preserve him from the fury of the people, and to disclose at the same time the infamy of the Governor, caused all the other Dervishes, his comrades, to seize the banners of Muhammad which were planted about the mosque, and at the same time they cried out that all the Dervishes and Fakirs and others, who were good Muhammadans, should follow them. In less than an hour a multitude of rabble assembled, and the Dervish, taking the lead with his brother, went straight to the palace, crying out with all their might, “Let us die for Muhammad, or let them give to us that infamous person in order that dogs may eat him after his death, as he is not worthy to be interred amongst Mussulmans.” The guard of the palace was not in a condition to resist such a multitude, and would have yielded to them, if the Darogha of the town with five or six nobles had not found an opportunity of making themselves heard, and of appeasing them, by representing to them that they should have some respect for a nephew of the King, and by obliging them to withdraw. The same night the body of the Governor was carried to Agra, together with his harem, and Shah Jahan, who reigned then, having heard the news, was not in the least distressed, because he inherited the property of all his subjects, and he even bestowed on the page a small appointment in Bengal. From Brampour to Piombi-sera (?), 5 coss.