Travels in India (Tavernier) 39.5.6

39.5.6

This Envoy having accomplished his business with the Nawab, and Maille knowing that he would be leaving on the following day, took possession of the case and box of ointments belonging to the Ambassador’s surgeon, and concealed himself till such time as the Envoy departed, without being able to find Maille, in spite of all the search he could make, which had obliged him to delay his departure for some days. As soon as Maille heard that the Envoy was gone, he was appointed to the service of the Nawab as surgeon; and some time after, having informed him that he was a good gunner and founder, he entered his service in that capacity. The Nawab having taken Gandikot, and desiring to have some cannon inside the fort, where it was very difficult to carry them, proposed to Maille to cast twenty pieces—ten of 48 pounds, and ten others of 24 pounds; this Maille undertook to do. He was supplied with copper for this purpose from all quarters, and the Nawab collected a quantity of idols which had been removed from the pagodas which his army had visited. There is in Gandikot a pagoda which is considered to be one of the principal in India, where there are many idols, some being of gold and others of silver. Among these idols there were six of copper, three of which were seated on their heels, and the three others were about 10 feet high.