Travels in India (Tavernier) 24.3.2

24.3.2

Two months afterwards I received this present from Father Ephraim when I was at Surat, and I thanked him for it on the occasion of our first meeting. The Sheikh, seeing that he could not detain the “Father,” and not wishing to allow him to travel on foot from Golconda to Masulipatam, as he intended, compelled him to accept an ox which he gave him, with two attendants to conduct him ; and not being able to force him to accept 30 pagodas in addition, he directed the two attendants that on arrival at Masulipatam they should leave with the Capuchin Father both the ox and the pagodas. This order they did not fail to carry out in every particular, for otherwise on their return to Golconda it would have cost them their lives. I shall complete the history of Father Ephraim, who afterwards experienced many misfortunes, when I describe Goa, which is the principal place which the Portuguese have in India. The second daughter of the King of Golconda was espoused to Sultan Muhammad, eldest son of Aurangzeb. What led to the marriage was this — Mir Jumla, Commander-in-Chief of the army of the King of Golconda, who had received from him much good service towards the establishment of his throne, on going in the direction of Bengal to regulate some Raja's affairs, left in hostage with the King, according to custom, his wife and children as pledge of his fidelity. He had many daughters, but only one son, who had a considerable following and made a great figure at Court.