Travels in India (Tavernier) 65: BOOK II

65

Reply of the Author to this second letter.
He who prays to God for your Highness, and for the increase of your greatness and prosperity, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, Frenchman, etc., as in the first letter.
I have received the honour of the commands which your Highness has deigned to bestow on the least of your servants. Salutation to the Nawáb, the Prince of Princes. I gave myself the honour some days past to write by the messenger of your Highness, that after the rains I should not fail to go unto your presence at Jahánábád. Now that you direct that it is to be at Burhánpur, I shall follow your orders and carry with me all the rarities which I have destined for your Highness’s service.
Done the 10th of the month Huje.
Translation of the third letter written by Sháistá Khán to the Author.
The most beloved of my favourites, Monsieur Tavernier, Frenchman, know that I keep you fresh in my memory. The letter which you wrote me by my messenger has been received, and I have read it word by word. You write that the rains and bad roads have prevented your coming, and that after the winter you will come to seek me. Now that the rains are over, and that I hope that in twenty-five or twenty-six days I shall be at Aurangábád, on receipt of this hasten to come to me. I believe you will not fail.
Done the 5th of Sefer, in the first year of the reign of Aurangzeb.
This which follows was in the hand of the Nawab.
Dear friend, you will not fail to act according as I have written.