This Indeed Is The Custom Of The Persian Merchants, Who Bring All To The
King, As I Have Often Seen.
He first takes his own choice, and delivers
the rest among his nobles, his scribes writing down the names of all to
whom they are delivered, and the sums, another officer settling the
prices.
After which a copy is given to the merchant, who goes to their
houses for his money; and if they do not pay, there is a particular
officer who has orders to enforce payment. It was then told to my
interpreter that Arad Khan was to call the debtors before him, and cause
them to pay. This did not satisfy our merchants, but it seemed to me a
just and gracious answer, and better than private persons usually get
from great princes.
Hearing that I had been sick and was in want of wine, the king ordered
me to have five bottles, and when these were done that I should send for
five more, and so from time to time as I needed. He sent me also the
fattest wild-hog I ever saw, which had been sent from Goa by Mucrob
Khan. This was sent to me at midnight by a huddy, with this message,
that it had eaten nothing but sugar and butter since it came to the
king. I accepted this as a sign of great favour, which, in this court, I
know to be a great one. He then sent for the book of maps, saying, that
he had shewed it to his mulahs, and not one of them could read a word
of it, wherefore I might have it again. To this I answered, that his
majesty in this would use his pleasure; and so it was returned.
The 26th, a rajah of the Rajpoots being in rebellion in the hills, not
above twenty cosses from the leskar, the king sent out two Omrahs with a
party of horse to fetch him in a prisoner. But he stood on his defence,
slew one of the omrahs and twelve maansipdares, [munsubdars] and about
500 men, sending an insulting message to the king to send his son
against him, as he was no prey to be subdued by ordinary forces.
The 2d September, Sultan Churrum made his entry into Mundu, accompanied
by all the great men, in wonderous triumph. Contrary to all our
expectations, the king received him as if he had been an only son. All
the great men and the queen-mother[214] went to meet him at the distance
of five cosses from the town. I had sent to Asaph Khan to excuse me not
meeting him, for I was not able to stir from sickness, and besides, had
no presents to give. I also sent some of my servants with my just excuse
to the prince, to which he, in his pride, only answered by a nod.
[Footnote 214: Both in the Pilgrims and in Churchill's Collection this
personage is termed the king's mother; but it is more probable she was
the mother of Sultan Churrum. - E.]
The 5th of September I received advice of our ships being arrived at
Surat, the admiral amissing, but all the rest well, and that they had
taken two English rovers or pirates, which were found in chase of the
queen-mother's ship returning from the Red Sea, which they fortunately
rescued and brought safe in. Had this ship been taken, we had all been
in trouble. With these letters, I received the Company's letter, the
invoice of the goods, and instructions for Persia, with various other
notes of advice. They advised me also, that, owing to the admiral's
absence, they knew not what course to take with the pirates they had
taken. I immediately sent orders to Surat concerning all business, as
will appear in my letters.
The 6th, I rode to visit the prince at his usual hour of giving
audience, intending to bid him welcome, and to acquaint him with our
business, meaning to shew him all proper respect; and, that I might not
come empty-handed, I bought a fine gold chain, made in China, which I
proposed to have presented to him. On sending in to acquaint him that I
was in waiting, he returned a message, desiring me to come next morning
at sun-rise, when he sat to be worshipped, or to wait till he rode to
court, which I must have done at his door. I took this in high dudgeon,
having never been denied access by the king his father; but such is this
prince's pride, that he might even teach Lucifer. This made me answer
roundly, that I was not the prince's slave, but the free ambassador of a
great king; and that I would never more visit or attend upon him who had
denied me justice; but I should see him at night with the king, to whom
only I should now address myself, and so I departed. I went at night to
the king, who received me graciously. I made my reverence to the prince,
who stood beside his father, but he would not even once stir his head.
Then I acquainted the king, that, according to his order, I had brought
an abstract to him of our merchandize, and waited his commands. After
his usual manner, he asked many questions as to what were brought, and
seemed mightily satisfied with what was in the inventory, especially
with the tapestry, promising me all the favour and privileges I could
desire. He enquired for dogs, but I could say nothing on that subject.
He then asked for jewels, but I told him these were dearer in England
than in India, at which he rested satisfied. I durst not name the pearls
for many reasons, but chiefly as I knew our people in that case would be
way-laid by the prince, and it would have cost me infinite trouble to
get them back.
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