The 6th I Entered Mundu, And My Servants, Whom I Had Sent Before
To Seek Out For Quarters, Had Taken Possession Of A Fair Court, Well
Walled Round, In Which Was A Goodly Temple And A Tomb.
Some of the
king's servants had already taken up their quarters there, but I got
possession and kept it,
Being the best within the whole circuit of
Mundu, though two miles from the king's house; yet it was so nearly
sufficient, that a very small charge was sufficient to make it
defensible against the rains, and save me 1000 rupees. The air was
wholesome, and the prospect pleasant, as it was on the very edge of the
hill.
I went at night of the 11th to meet the king, but was told, that, on the
news of a lion[210] having killed some horses, the king had gone out to
hunt for that animal. I thus had leisure to look out for water; for such
was the unaccountable want of foresight, that we were brought, with a
multitude of people and beasts, to a hill on which was no water, so that
the men and cattle were ready to perish. What little was to be found in
certain wells and tanks had been taken possession of by the great men,
and kept by force, so that I could not procure any. The poor forsook the
city; many more were commanded away by proclamation, and all horses or
other cattle were ordered to be removed. Thus, those who were in hopes
of rest, were enforced to seek out new dwelling places, and had to go
away some two, three, and even four cosses, to the extreme trouble and
inconvenience of all, and occasioning provisions to rise greatly in
price. For my own part, I was greatly troubled how to determine. My
house was very good, and, though far from markets, it was still less
inconvenient to submit to that trouble than to remain in the fields
without house or shelter, where I must have gone to encamp, but then I
was in want of water. Riding about with this view, I came to a great
tank or pool, which was guarded for a khan, to whom the king had granted
its use. I sent to acquaint him of my needs, and asked leave to draw
water at his tank, when he was pleased to allow me to have four loads
daily. This satisfied me in some sort; and, by selling off some of the
goods that had been sent me from Surat, and putting away some of my
cattle, I had hope of being able to live; for which purpose I sent two
of my carriages, with their servants and cattle, to remain out of town,
and thus relieved myself from this public calamity. There was not a
misery or inconvenience that I was not subjected to, in thus following
the court of the Mogul, owing to the want of good management in the
government, and the intemperature of the climate.
[Footnote 210: It is almost certain that the lions of these early
voyages and travels, at least in India, were tigers. - E.]
Sec.7. A New-Year's Gift. - Suspicions entertained of the English. - Trade
of Dabul. - Dissatisfaction of the Persian Ambassador. - English Ships of
War in the Indian Seas.
On the 12th March, 1617, I carried, as a new-year's gift to the king, a
pair of very handsome knives belonging to myself, and six glasses
belonging to the Company, making an apology for the smallness of the
present, which was well received, and the king used me very graciously,
saying, that whatever came from my hands he looked on as a sufficient
present, and as a proof of my love, and that it was now his part to give
me. He gave orders to an officer to send for Mr Bidulph, to pay him his
demands to his satisfaction, and all others who were indebted to us were
ordered by name to pay what they owed to the Company. The king said
likewise, that he would write to the prince in our favour. But I found
him unwilling to part with any of our things, of which the best sweet
bag then lay before him. I replied, that I was very unwilling to go
empty-handed. The king then commanded that I should come up and stand
beside him on the steps of the throne, where stood on one side the
Persian ambassador, and the old king of Candahar on the other, with whom
I ranked. As soon as I had taken my place, the king asked me for a
knife, which I sent him next day. The king then called the Persian to
stand before him, to whom he gave a jewel and a young elephant, for
which he kneeled and saluted the ground with his head.
On this occasion the same throne and furniture were used as last year,
the upper end of the hall being adorned with the pictures of the king my
master, the queen, the princess Elizabeth, Sir Thomas Smith, and some
others, with two pieces of beautiful Persian tapestry hung below them.
The throne was of gold, bespangled all over with rubies, emeralds, and
turquoises. On one side, on a little stage or scaffold, was a company of
women-singers. I this day sent a dispatch to Surat, giving my advice
respecting the trade of Persia, and of what had passed on that subject
with the ambassador, and sent some remembrance to the governor, Ibrahim
Khan. I had a letter from him in return, stating that the English nation
had been wronged without his knowledge; but as his authority was now
augmented by Prince Churrum, we might rest confident in his protection,
as while he lived and held authority at that place, we should never more
be liable to abuses, but should be allowed to reside and trade in
perfect freedom and security.
The 13th I sent as a present to Asaph Khan a richly embroidered pair of
gloves, and a fair wrought night-cap of my own.
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