[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) › [Les six voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier) › [Travels in India (Ball)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball) › 21.5.2 # Travels in India (Tavernier) 21.5.2 Travels in India (Ball) 21.5.2 - **Language:** English ### [21.5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5.2) Having arrived at Jahanabad I went to make my reverence to the King on the 12th September 1665, and this is the present which I made him. Firstly, a shield of bronze in high relief thoroughly well gilt, the gilding alone costing 300 ducats of gold, which amount to 1800 livres and the whole piece to 4378 livres. In the middle was represented the history of Curtius, who threw himself, on horseback and fully armed, into the gulf which opened in Rome, and from whence a mephitic vapour emanated. On the circuit of the shield was a clever representation of the siege of Rochelle. It was the chef d'œuvre of one of the most excellent workmen in France, and it had been ordered by M. le Cardinal Richelieu. All the great nobles who were then with the King Aurangzeb were charmed with the beauty of this work of art, and they told him that he should place this rich piece on the grand elephant which carried the standard before his majesty when marching. I also presented the King with a battle mace of rock crystal, all the sides of which were covered with rubies and emeralds inlaid in gold in the crystal. This piece cost 3119 livres. Also a Turkish saddle embroidered with small rubies, pearls, and emeralds, which had cost 2892 livres. Also another horse’s saddle with the housing, the whole covered with an embroidery of gold and silver, costing 1730 livres. The entire present which I made to the King amounted to 12,119 livres. - [Previous: 21.5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5.1) - [Next: 21.5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5.3) - [Up: 21.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.21.5.2) · Pramāṇa