Travels in India (Tavernier) 64: Translation of the second letter written by Shāista Khān to the Author.

64

To the most expert of engineers and the cream of good fellows, Monsieur Tavernier, Frenchman, know that I regard you as one of my dearest favourites and well beloved. As I have before written to you to come to Jahānābād and to bring with you the rarities which you have for me, now, by the favour and grace of the King, I have been appointed his Viceroy and Governor in the Kingdom of Deccan. Immediately on the receipt of his Majesty’s orders I set out, on the 25th of the month of Chouval ; for this reason it is no longer desirable that you should come to Jahānābād, but rather that you should make your way as soon as possible to Burhānpur, where, with God’s assistance, I shall arrive in the course of two months or thereabouts. I trust you will act in accordance with that which I write to you.