Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c39.s1: §1. Aurangzib sends rich presents to other Muslim States.

History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c39.s1

Language
English

§1. Aurangzib sends rich presents to other Muslim States.

v3.c39.s1.1

After all his rivals had been destroyed and he was firmly seated on the Peacock Throne, Aurangzib received a succession of embassies from all the Muhammadan States which had trade relations with India. The fame of his victories had spread far and wide and he was congratulated on his accession. His policy at the beginning was to dazzle the eyes of foreign princes by the lavish gift of presents to them and their envoys, and thus induce the outer Muslim world to forget his treatment of his father and brothers, or at least to show courtesy to the successful man of action and master of India's untold wealth, especially when he was so free with his money. The poorer Muhammadan Powers sent embassies so miserably ill-equipped and carrying such worthless presents that it was openly said in India that the missions were not political but commercial. "Every one suspected that they came merely for the sake of obtaining money in return for their presents, and of gaining still more considerable sums by means of the numerous horses and different articles of merchandise, which they introduced into the kingdom free of all duty, as property belonging to ambassadors. With the produce of these horses and merchandise, they purchased the manufactures of India which they also claimed the privilege of taking out of the kingdom without payment of the impost charged on all commodities exported.'' (Bernier, 134; *Storia*, ii. 115.)

v3.c39.s1.2

Later in his reign, partly because his aim had by that time been realized, and partly because his constant wars had drained his treasury dry, his liberality to foreign Courts and envoys was greatly curtailed. He, however, continued to the end of his reign to maintain friendly intercourse with the Muslim States of Central Asia and Arabia by letter and embassy.