Travels in India (Tavernier) 59.1

59.1

On the first day of November 1665 I went to the palace for the purpose of taking leave of the King, but he said that he did not wish me to depart without having seen his jewels, and until I had witnessed the grandeur of his fete. The day following the great morning five or six officers from the King, and others on behalf of Nawab Zafar Khan, came to tell me that the King had sent for me. Immediately on my arrival at the Court the two custodians of the King’s jewels, of whom I have elsewhere spoken, accompanied me into the presence of his Majesty; and after I had made him the ordinary salutation, they conducted me into a small apartment, which is at one of the ends of the hall where the King was seated on his throne, and from whence he was able to see us. I found in this apartment Akil KhAn, chief of the jewel treasury, who, when he saw us, ordered four of the King’s eunuchs to go for the jewels, which were brought in two large wooden trays lacquered with gold leaf, and covered with small cloths made expressly for the purpose — one of red velvet and the other of green brocaded velvet. After these trays were uncovered, and all the pieces had been counted three times over, a list was prepared by three scribes who were present. For the Indians do everything with great circumspection and patience, and when they see any one who acts with precipitation, or becomes angry, they gaze at him without saying anything, and smile as at a madman.