[A certain French doctor being on bad terms with his wife, she left him, and, taking her youngest son with her, fled to her relations at Lahor.]
The afflicted surgeon made great efforts to recover his little son, but never succeeded. The child's detainers were too strongly protected. Maria de Ataides taught him in the Mahomedan way, and he learned to read the Quran. The Maria de Ataides in question had an ancient eunuch in her service who directed her household. He was a very avaricious man, and advised his mistress to kill her niece and take possession of her property. The lady, without further consideration, accepted the proposal, and gave her niece poison.
While the niece was in the throes of death, an old woman-servant of hers came secretly to call me in. I started in all haste, but did not arrive in time to be of any use to her, the whole of her body having
MANUCCI HELPS THE PHYSICIAN'S SON 269
already become black. Therefore, when I had enjoined her to ask God's forgiveness, she called upon the name of Jesus as well as she could, and shortly afterwards expired. When the surgeon heard of his wife's death he was quite happy, and over and over again asked the king for leave to return to his own country, but all in vain. Once more he wrote a letter to Maria de Ataides, in which he said she ought to send back his son at once. If she did not, he had decided to make the boy over to Begum Sahib, who would send men to seize him.
Maria de Ataides was annoyed at this threat, and was, in addition, afraid of some censure against her being issued by the court. Thus she had the boy circumcised at once, and continued his training in Mahomedan tenets. Whenever I had the opportunity I never omitted to console the boy, to teach him, and to hold out hopes that his father would still be of some benefit to him. Seeing that the youth received consolation from, and believed in, my words, and being also anxious to deliver him from Mahomedanism, I took the liberty of saying to him that if he wanted to leave that house and go to his father, I would help him, and provide the necessary expenses. I knew that his father was waiting for him, and meant to marry him to the daughter of the officer in command of the fortress of Daman, who was providing her with a dowry of twenty thousand rupees. To these overtures the youth replied that he would carry out all my orders. At once, and in secret, I found four guardians who could represent the youth before the courts if, upon obtaining his liberty, he should endeavour to recover part of what belonged to his mother. The youth left the house secretly and joined these guardians, who were waiting. They took him without delay to the qazVs court, a man who was my friend, and to whom I had in addition recommended this client's interests in the shape of some presents I had given him.
The guardians' action was such that the boy Ignatio was restored to liberty, and recovered something, though nothing of consequence, out of what had belonged to his mother. This small effort cost me two thousand rupees, which equals one thousand patacas. I reported to his father, then at the court in Dihli, what had been managed, at the same time advising him that as soon as his son arrived he should send him into Portuguese territory, so as to be protected from Mahomedan outrage.
When Ignatio reached the paternal dwelling he was very pleased, but, finding that his father was not sending him away from Mahomedan territory, as I had suggested, he said to him : " My father, why do you keep me in the house and do not at once send me into Portuguese territory ? Do you not see that one of these days the Mahomedans will come to steal me?" The ignorant father answered that he kept him in his house to revenge himself on Maria de Ataides, and to be able to recover the plunder that his wife had robbed him of. What an impossibility !
Thus my counsels were of no use to him, nor did in aught avail the words and repeated insistence of his son. We shall see what things came to pass. After twelve days the men of Maria de Ataides went to Dibit, and, asserting that the youth was in his father's house, they went before the king, and recounted to him the above circumstances. Forthwith the king ordered soldiers to be sent to seize the youth and bring him to the presence. As soon as the king saw him he appointed him one of his pages, with charge of carrying his sword during audience, being a well-formed and graceful youth. Then after some years he was appointed captain of artillery, and at the present time is married and has sons and daughters.
The old surgeon stayed on at court without obtaining leave to depart. Then he decided on flight from Aurangabad for Daman. This he managed to do, but
FATE OF THE FRENCH PHYSICIAN 271
the end was not favourable. At the time I arrived at Surat orders had been received to catch the surgeon, who had fled from the court. He was very easy to recognise, for he bore a knife scar across his face from one ear to the other, due to a wound inflicted by one of his compatriots. I was then in Dihlt newly from Persia. The governor, in his attempts to find the surgeon, learnt that a surgeon (that being I) had arrived from court.
At once he sent off a messenger to my house, who informed me, on behalf of the governor, that I must at once appear in his presence. At that time I had fever, and the insolent fellow (they are all like that) would not take my excuses, or accept the complimentary message I sent to the governor, whose name was Cartalapan (Kar-talab-Khan). The man spoke with great rudeness, and made as if he meant to take me away by force. At this movement I lost patience, and, getting to my feet, gave him several shoe strokes, and threw him downstairs. Thus, beaten as he was, he returned to the presence of the governor with outcries, making out a little more than he had suffered. As the governor was a cautious man, he sent a person of standing, making over to him a letter from the court, in which was entered the mark on the face as a means of recognising the surgeon.
On his reaching my house, as soon as I saw him I recognised that we were old friends. He reported the facts to the governor, and he sent word to me that as soon as I was well again he would come to see me. Three days having elapsed, the fever left me, and I repaired to the governor's. I was well received by him, as he required medicines from me. Whilst we were in conversation they brought in the surgeon. He was taken away that night to another house, and next morning was sent back to court. These events took place in 1680, in the month of September. In 1686 the king consented to his leaving, looking on him as a man already old -and no longer of any use.
This same doctor in 1672 had another mishap. Being then, as I have said, desirous of leaving for Europe, he expended seven thousand rupees on diamonds. He showed his purchase to a young man who in his wanderings had arrived at his house. Being a fellow-countryman, he placed great faith in him, and never dreamt of his plotting treachery against him.
One day when the doctor had gone to make his appearance at court, the ungrateful youth opened the casket with a key that he had got made, and took the diamonds and as much money as seemed to him necessary for expenses. He then fled. He might have carried off a great deal more than he actually took, but this he refrained from doing, not wishing to carry such a weight as would hinder the celerity of his movements. When the surgeon returned from the audience hall to his house, he perceived the loss he had suffered. By much exertion he sent off different persons in many directions to search for the thief. He also wrote to the (European) factors living at the seaports. But all his efforts produced no results, for never more was that young man heard of. It may well be that he was robbed by other thieves and his life taken, as on many occasions I have seen happen.
I pray the prudent reader not to grow angry at such advice, but if I write it so often, I do it solely to warn any inquiring traveller who may wish to wander through the world, and teach him at others' cost how to look after himself. In voyaging prudence is required, and, above all, patience, for in most instances it is only through the rashness of youth that such difficulties arise ; and men are generally the originators of their own ruin, and may even risk the loss of life. The following story may serve as an example:
When I was a youth, at the beginning of Aurangzeb's reign, it was my custom to go out on Thursdays. On that day there is a great concourse of men and ladies of the city (D
ihli) who come out to visit sepulchres and
obtain recreation in the gardens of Khwajah Qutb-ud-din, outside the city of Dihii—as I have said before— some to pray and some to enjoy themselves. I, too, went to take the air in those gardens. I was also curious to see certain festivals that it is usual to hold several times in the year in the fields and gardens, and on the banks of streams, reservoirs, et cetera.
While returning one day from the garden of Khwajah Qutb-ud-dm on the way to my house, I saw a carriage coming a long way off. It withdrew out of the direct road, and went down into the open fields. Seeing this manoeuvre, I assumed that it had moved out of the highway for fear that I might do it some harm. I knew that in the carnage was a public dancing girl; it was surrounded by fifteen pages, and followed by a horseman. Without taking time to reflect, I turned my steps with all possible speed towards the carriage, shouting to it to stop. It paid no attention, however, to my voice, but went on its way peacefully.
Seeing that I was not obeyed, I decided to make a display of courage, so I seized a stick, and, going up to the carriage, gave the pages several blows. Seeing that the game was not a joke, these men followed the example of the horseman, abandoned the carriage and took to their heels. At that point I raised the cloth that covered the carriage, and saw the dancer. I gave her some abusive language, not forgetting, however, to keep my eyes open to see if succour was on its way.
This precaution of mine was not uncalled for, since at this moment I saw afar off a troop of cavalry coming in my direction. I left the carriage at once and directed my steps slowly towards the horsemen in question, while I adjusted my turban firmly on my head, and handled my sword to see that it would come easily out of the scabbard, just as if I was making ready for a fight, should I be opposed. During this interval I had drawn near the horsemen, making these preparations meanwhile. They now drew rein ; one of them, how-
ever, who was in advance, came on towards me. In spite of having his face half concealed, I could see he was a man of some age. When he was near me he spoke to me politely and modestly. However, I gave no answer to his words, and went on my way with niy eye fixed steadily on the other horsemen, who were standing still. I believed they meant to bar my way. I was greatly mistaken, however, for on my passing quite close not a man of them said a thing to me.
The following day I made the same excursion, taking my lance with me this time. While I was in a plain of some size and fairly level, I saw the carriage of the previous day a little off the road guarded by some horsemen. I knew at once that these were the same men as before. Nevertheless, not to show that I had any fear of them, I would not retrace my steps, but continued my journey, flourishing my lance about a bit, until I was quite close to them. Then the elderly horseman, with the greatest politeness and a smiling face, asked the favour of speaking a word with me. Directly I heard the voice I stood still, and turning towards him the point of my lance, I asked what it was he wanted.
He answered modestly that he was the brother of Allahwirdt Khan, that he had fallen in love with this dancer, on which account the king had reduced his high pay. Out of love for her he endured all this hardship, and gave up everything. Therefore he asked me the favour of permitting him to go and come freely. Without changing my position I answered that I granted what he asked, on condition, however, of his throwing over the carriage a scarlet covering, so that I might identify it. He answered that he would do so, and went away after saying good-bye.
The man's name was Mirza Arjanj, brother of that Allahwirdi Khan who betrayed Prince Shah Shuja' when he delivered battle against Aurangzeb, as will
have been seen already in my First Part. This Mirza Arjanj, being resolute in not giving up the said dancer, was content that the king should take away two hundred horses from his command, and leave him only ten, with twelve thousand rupees of yearly pay. He endeavoured to become friendly with me, but I declined to waste my time on him or put any trust in him.
One day, while I was out on one of the above excursions, I amused myself in those gardens for longer than usual, and night came on before I had half completed my journey. By the light of the moon, which was now very bright, I observed coming towards me some strings of camels and oxen laden with goods, guarded by mounted soldiers. To afford myself a bit of a game, I drew my sword and charged them, with shouts of " Mora, mora ! " (Maro, Maro ! (" Strike, strike ! ") On hearing my cries, all the men fled and abandoned the animals. When I had arrived quite close, and found there was no one there, I rode my horse in all directions, crying out that I was only joking. Moreover, I was no thief, therefore let them return and look after their animals. My voice was given to the winds, since no one appeared. I resumed my journey and made for my house. Afterwards I learnt that it was the baggage of a viceroy, who was proceeding to his government of the province of Ajmer; but no one over found out that it was I who had caused the stampede.
It is the custom in the Mogul country for the royal elephants, whether those meant for war or those which fight before the king, to be kept outside the city near the gardens. They stand in a field below some trees, they are bound with heavy chains, and their keepers live with them. I once went at night to tease these animals with fireworks. They broke their chains and rushed wildly over the fields, doing a great deal of damage. Next I received word that some cavalry soldiers had been posted on guard to seize
276 MANUCCI'S HOUSE AT BIG MOUNT ATTACKED
the insolent intruder; thus I forbore to molest the elephants any more. Just let the judicious reader imagine what would have been my punishment had I been taken, and into what disgrace I should have fallen. To-day, although now in old age, when I remember this and other similar escapades I committed, I never fail to sigh over them and grieve at m}' misdeeds.
I must not forget to tell what happened to me on the day of the Virgin's Feast—that is, on December 18, 1705. It was at Monte Grande (Big Mount) at three o'clock in the afternoon. I was in the middle of entertaining several guests, who on that day never fail to appear, for a great crowd assembles there for this solemnity.
While I was in the middle of conversation with my friends, men of different nations, I noticed that a serious dispute was going on at my gate. My servants were hindering the entrance of certain audacious persons who wanted to come in by force. I, too, proceeded to the spot. Although I saw they did not mean to listen to argument, all the same I attempted to prevent any violence, but quite in vain. The insolent fellows persisted in their attack, but were finally put to flight.
There remained in our hands the captain of the men ; he was a Brahman officer, who ruled over some villages not far from Big Mount. He was drunk. 1 ordered the man to be tied to a tree over against my gate, and he received a good thrashing. He was then taken before the Mahomedan governor (faujdar) Mulla Murad, in San Thome. He is the present governor of the territory, and is a nominee of the great diwan and minister of the Karnatik.
When the captive reached tfiefattjddr's, the principal officers and some of his relations presented themselves. They tried hard to throw the whole blame of the misdeed upon me, and they accused me as the culprit. Some of the Mahomedan officials supported their
contentions. The judicious governor was not taken in by these fabrications, but on dismissing my servants he sent me a letter full of ceremonious expressions. He paid no heed to the contrary suggestions of the Brahmans, my enemies.
Perhaps he had doubts that if he had acted otherwise he would be either reproved from court or dismissed from his office. He knew very well that the chief ministers were my friends. The man who has no friends in these lands is nowadays despised, and it is of no use for him to be in the right.
As it seems to me, I have not explained in detail the way in which I was treated when in the service of the Prince Shah 'Alam. Now, to demonstrate once more their policy, their style of government, and the mode in which their business is done, also how much the ladies at this court can accomplish, I will resume the subject. By this means the reader will learn
what is the value of friends upon occasion.
There was at the court of the Prince Shah 'Alam a European blood-letter who, when he entered the service, was granted two rupees a day. This was done by the influence of the chief physician, Muhammad Muqfm, of whom I failed not to speak on other occasions. The blood-letter, finding the prince had a good opinion of him, and having by this time acquired a little money, made a most unreasonable demand from the prince to the detriment of the said physician. He said to the prince that Muhammad Muqim had an annual salary of over one hundred thousand rupees, besides the other great profits that he received. But Muqfm was not any wiser than he, the European, was, and therefore he, too, was worth quite as much pay. The prince, upon hearing this preposterous claim, was much put out, but concealed the fact, and gave not a word of reply. The physician Muhammad Muqfm heard of the affair by means of his friends. He was much annoyed, but made no sign, and did not betray his feelings in the least.
278 MANUCCI AND MUHAMMAD MUQlM
I had already been known in the empire for many years when I reached the court after the heavy loss of money in Portuguese territory of which I have already spoken. I was then much in need of money for my support. As soon as my arrival was heard of, I was at once invited by the prince and several of his princesses to accept service with him. The message was conveyed to me through a eunuch of some standing named Meccaian (? Miskin). To this proposal I replied that I would be really glad to accept the honour done to me by His Highness, but I must decline to accept his service unless the physician, Muhammad Muqfm, conducted the negotiations with me. Thereupon it was at once ordered that he should present me to the prince, as is the custom.
At this time Shah 'Alam was making his preparations for starting to take charge of the Dakhin. The physician Muhammad Muqim, remembering what the European blood-letter had done to him, feared the same conduct from me also. He further reflected that I had cured several persons of quality whom he had given up as beyond hope, whence he was afraid he might lose his reputation and be ejected from the service. Thus, in spite of his promises, he took no steps to push my interests.
A Pepys of Mongul India (1653-1708) Page 28