I could see quite well that there was no escape from going, for they would carry me off to the court whether I liked it or not. I therefore dissembled, and made display of goodwill, and a desire to be of service to His Majesty. I mounted my horse and went with them, in all pomp and magnificence, until we got to Gul-kandah. When I appeared to make my obeisance to the king, he declared himself pleased at my coming. Urgently I begged him, as I had come under protection of his word, not to deliver me into the hands of Shah 'Alam. By this he was somewhat disconcerted, and fixed my pay at seven hundred rupees a month. But I declared that I would not accept pay, that I meant to serve him for nothing. Nevertheless,
he sent seven hundred rupees to my abode, and while I was with him he ordered a set of robes to be conferred on me. He gave a private order to post a hundred horsemen in the street where I was staying, to prevent anyone interfering with me.
For the envoy of Shah 'Alam, called Momencan (Mumin Khan), sought an opening for carrying me off to the prince. In addition to the guard of horsemen, Abu,l Hasan gave me over in charge to his dlwan, who was responsible for my personal safety. I began the treatment of his nephew once more, and remained two months in Gulkandah, by which time the patient had recovered. But I was obliged to seek safety in a secret flight. For the ambassador of Shah 'Alam, when he was taking leave, once more tried to induce the king to make me over into his hands. He (the king) replied that if at his departure he carried me away with him, no one would come forward to defend me. For this purpose he ordered the withdrawal of the hundred horsemen, placed as sentries to prevent interference with me.
This conversation was heard by one of the said ambassador's soldiers, who years before had come under an obligation to me for treating him in an illness, and he hurried to warn me of the ambassador's intentions. The information reached me when I was at cards, and, suppressing my tribulation, I went on for a time with the game. I then went out and betook myself to the house of the Dutch envoy, who was then Lourenco Pit, and begged his assistance in this delicate situation. After that I sent for the Father Vicar of Gulkandah, named Frey Francisco, of the Order of St. Augustin, and most earnestly entreated him to see Rustam Rao and procure leave to remove to Machhllpatanam a brother of his called Augustinho, who had fallen ill.
I furnished him with this name, so that if asked for his invalid brother's name he should be in no perplexity, and thereby avoid suspicion of there being some deceit. The arrangement succeeded perfectly,
for the permit was obtained. I got into a palanquin, and feigned to be unwell; and praise be to God, the spies never discovered me. Thus did I make my journey without the envoy of Shah 'Alam being aware of my departure. I went on until I arrived at Madrasta (Madras) or Fort St. George, which belongs to the English, and there I was free of all danger. My escape from Gulkandah was the cause of some discomfort to the king, for Shah 'Alam made great complaint of his want of energy in arresting me, but he knew quite well that by that time I was no longer in Gulkandah. Still he made various searches, and in the end sent Rustam Rao as a prisoner into the fortress, because he had issued the permit for my departure. The prisoner was forced to pay fifty thousand rupees, which were forwarded to Shah 'Alam as a present to procure pardon for the fault of the king's officer.
On my arrival in Madras, the Portuguese gentlemen, who knew the zeal with which I had served their nation in Goa, came to see me. They congratulated me on my arrival and offered their services in whatever way would be of use to me. Such help they would give most willingly. But I was all anxiety to see Senhor Francisco Martim (Francois Martin), Director-General of the Royal Company of France, who had come back to Pudichery (Pondicherry) from Surat. I got into a palanquin and went off to visit him, where I was well received, and well entertained for several days. He gave me the advice not to return to Europe, but to marry in India. He informed me of a lady born in India, but of good English Catholic parents. She lived in Madrastapatao (Madras) and her name was Senhora Ilizabet Ihardili (? Elizabeth Hartley), legitimate daughter of (Mr.) Christovao Ihardili (? Christopher Hartley), president of Machhltpatanam, and of Donna Aguida Pereyra, a Portuguese lady. At that time the lady Ilizabet Ihardili was the widow of Mr. Thomas Klark (Clarke), an English Catholic; he was a judge, and second at the station of Madras.
This is what I was told by Monsieur the General, confirmed by some Capuchin friars, and thus I began to relinquish the idea of going back to Europe. For, as they told me, having become accustomed to the climate and the food of India, and being already advanced in age, I should not last very long in Europe. Thus I quitted Pondicherry and returned to Madras, meaning to find out the intentions of the said lady. There I arrived at the end of June in one thousand six hundred and eighty-six, and I talked with the well-known Fathers Zenao (Zenon) and Ephrem (Ephraim), Capuchins, and apostolic missionaries in Madras, otherwise Fort St. George. They were aware of the virtues and sound doctrine of the said lady, and they gave me such a good report of her qualities and virtues that 1 decided to marry. By the favour of God I was married on St. Simon's and St. Jude's day of that same year (1686).
I had a son, but God chose rather to make him an angel in Paradise than leave him to suffer in this world. In this way I was fixed to a residence in the said Fort St. George, where came many that knew me, or heard speak of me, in order to be treated. Among those who came was Rajah Champat, son of Champat Bundelah, who, as stated in the first part of my history, was sacrificed by Aurangzeb as a foundation for his victories, in reward for having found him a route in his combat with Dara.
Nor did Shah 'Alam fail to send in search of me in several directions, while the princess sent one who had formerly been my servant to seek me in Madras. She gave him as a present a dagger, which he sold to one of my friends for eight hundred patacas (Rs. 1600). This she did only through her desire to know where 1 was, so that she might send to fetch me.
All my acquaintances know that very few months
passed without gifts coming from the Mogul grandees,
who gave me many presents, and sent to me patients
of title and many others. Experience was my great
14
teacher, whereby I had acquired several secrets, in which it may be that I shall allow the world to participate, for I have no heir to whom to bequeath these treasures that preserve our bodily health. But among the others I may as well mention that I manufactured certain cordials regardless of expense, the same being wonderful in certain complaints, as many can testify. Yet it is only a short time ago that I began to distribute these cordials, for I have no wish to imitate those who, keener for others' gold than the health of their fellow men, make up mixtures of various things and sell them as cordials. I did not begin to sell mine until experience had taught me that the purchasers would not be cheated. My residence in Madras will offer no prejudice to the continuation of my history, for, besides the spies I employed, the nobles were pleased to forward me news of what took place in the camp.
I know quite well that some in reading this history will comment on my leaving the Mogul country so many times and then going back. Some will say to themselves that in those lands there must be some delectable fields which caused my return there. But in reality, granting that by God's favour I did have the luck to attain some good fortune, yet never had I any desire to settle there. For of a truth they have nothing that can delight or win people from Europe, or make them desire to live there. The country is not good for the body, much less for the soul; for the body it is requisite to live ever on the qui vive and keep your eyes open, since no one ever says a word that can be relied on. It is continuously requisite to think the worst, and believe the contrary of what is said; for it is the habit there absolutely to act according to the proverb of my country, " Pleasant words, sad actions." They deceive both the acute and the careless; thus, when they show themselves the greatest friends, you require to be doubly careful.
The country is not good for the soul, as much from the licence one has there, as f
rom the absence of
IN THE SERVICE OF SHAH 'ALAM, 1680-85 199
Catholic observances. Thus, when I could leave it, I did so; nor should have I ever gone back there, had I not been forced by necessity. I offer up many thanks to God that at length He granted me means to deliver myself, and I assure the reader that few Europeans could live there with the advantages and honours I was able to achieve. Nor let him be led away by the hope that, resorting thither, he would be able to improve himself in any degree. For few indeed are they who return thence bettered, and many are those who have been made worse.
Among other occasions, there was one when the king's wife, the mother of Shah 'Alam, was graciously pleased to give me testimony of her goodwill towards me in recognition of my having accompanied the prince her son from Goa to court. This princess showed me great affection because I had attended her and bled her several times, in addition to which she had often to send for me, as she suffered much from gout. As it was I who prescribed for her, she often sent me some dainty, as is the fashion of these ladies to do to those whom they esteem. When I bled her she put her arm out from the curtain, but wrapped up, leaving only one little spot uncovered, about as wide as two fingers, close to the vein. For that attendance I got from her four hundred rupees and a sardpd (set of robes) as a present, and I bled her regularly twice a year.
It should be understood that, before a European can acquire the office of physician among these princes, he must be put to the proof a long time, for they are extremely distrustful and nice in such matters. Every month the princesses and the ladies have themselves bled, which is done in the way I have above described. It is just the same when they want themselves bled in the foot, or have any wound or fistula dressed ; nothing is ever shown but the part affected or the vein they wish opened. When I bled
200 MUTUAL DISTRUST AMONG PRINCES
the wives and daughters of Shah 'Alam, each of them gave me two hundred rupees and a sarapa, but when I bled that prince, who was my employer, and he was at court, I could not do it without the leave of the king. For this bleeding I got four hundred rupees, a sarapa, and a horse.
When I had finished I had to report to the king the quantity of blood I had drawn, what was the prince's reigning humour, and reply according to circumstances to the inquiries made by the king on this subject. After this he would give me my dismissal, granting me a sarapa. For each bleeding of one of the prince's sons I received two hundred rupees, a sarapa, and a horse.
The distrust among these princes is so acute that the father does not trust the son, nor the son his father. Here is an instance : Sultan Mu'izz-ud-din, eldest son of Shah 'Alam, was graciously pleased to act as intermediary, and to intercede for me with his father to get me back into his service, as I have related more at length in my account of Goa. The father, without any other reason, commanded me not to go to the court of the said Sultan, giving him orders at the same time not to send for me. Let him, said Shah 'Alam, employ his own doctors, and not me. Upon this subject they had some words, and thereupon separated. Sometime afterwards Sultan Mu'izz-ud-din feigned the invalid, and no longer went to the court of his father. As soon as the latter heard of the illness he sent his Persian physicians, and these men reported that he was not in the least unwell. To give them the lie, and show that he required my treatment, he made one of his women servants suck a place in his neck, and thereby raised a blue mark. On learning that he was suffering from this blue mark, Shah 'Alam, without knowing the cause of it, had the idea that he required bleeding. So he ordered me to see him at his residence, and, with a view to satis-
fying his son, told me to go whenever he sent for me; and in this manner they made it up, and were at peace.
Perhaps it will be found not altogether devoid of utility if I impart to my readers several events that happened to me which are proof of the prince's kindness and of the friendship he bore me. Seeing that I was not married, he inquired from me, through the first princess in his mahal (seraglio), why I did not take a wife. I replied that I found none of my standing that took my fancy. This lady and her husband were both desirous to get me married, so as to retain me and hinder my leaving Hindustan and his court. She said to me that she would send for all the daughters of Christians, whether Europeans or Armenians, and I had only to choose the one I liked best. She would see that I obtained the girl, would give her away in marriage herself, and provide all the expenses necessary on such occasions, adding a number of other promises. I thanked her, and made her understand how grateful I was for all her favours, but being a man of family, it was not correct for me to accept a bride such as she proposed. To that she replied by a great many things; among others, that Mahomedans took anybody, without regard to their birth. Although Christians could never have pretensions to such an honour, yet, if I would agree, she would have all her maids-of-honour brought before me, and I had only to select the one 1 most liked, and she should be given to me as wife, nothing remaining but to carry her away to my dwelling.
Being weary of all this woman's talk, 1 gave an off-hand answer that I was incapacitated for marriage. But on she went, and, with a number of other remarks, refuted me by saying that my bearing and complexion showed the falsity of what I told her. Finally, after all this discourse, she ordered me to put my hand inside the curtains of the bed to feel her pulse; for this is the way one has to deal with these ladies, 14*
as I have said. I noted that the arm was thick, muscular, and hairy, and by these signs I knew at once it was a man's arm ; and it turned out to be Shah 'Alam himself. Without delay I rose and said that the arm I had touched was a man's, and not a woman's, and it could be no other than that of the King of the World. At these words the prince burst out laughing, and told me that I knew how to distinguish the difference between a man and a woman.
Wishing to retain me and gain me entirely over to his interest, the prince thought that women would be a good vehicle to secure his object ; for it is very common for men to be destroyed by this snare. Here is how he set to work. He asked me if I knew there was a European in his palace. I said I did not. Instantly, while we were speaking, there came out of a room a very pretty girl, dressed as a man in European style, with a gold-mounted sword at her side. As soon as she saw me she lifted her hat and saluted me. I was conscious at once that it was the prince who had put all this in play to amuse himself, and see if he could gain me over. But I feigned the ignoramus, as if I had not noticed anything, returned the bow, and proffered some compliments. Speaking French, I went up to her to kiss her, when at once she turned her back and fled. I ran after her, as if wishing to embrace her, but she ran faster than I did. However, I did my utmost to overtake her. Laughing, the prince cried out to me. At his voice I came back with slow steps close to him, much put out at not having succeeding in embracing the young person.
When I had come close, he asked me what I wanted to do. I replied that 1 wanted to embrace and kiss the would-be young man. He assumed to be astonished at such a piece of audacity, then took to smiling at it ever so long, as did all the princesses.
Afterwards he told me that the FarangI I had seen
IN THE SERVICE OF SHAH 'ALAM, 1680-85 203
was not a man, but a woman, and if I would have her he would give her to me, and she could serve to carry my medicines to the mahal. I answered, with a serious air, that she was no use for that, as medicines administered by a woman's hand produced no effect. The prince joked for a long time with the princesses over what I had said. This is the greatest amusement he has. All other Mahomedans also pass the greater part of their time among their women. This is so much the case that through them important business at court is transacted. For my part I have done a great deal thus, principally through the first princess.
It is the custom in the royal household, when a physician is called within the mahal, for the eunuch to cover his head with a cloth, which hangs down to his waist. Then they conduct him to the patient's room, and he is taken out in the same manner. The first time that I wa
s led through the palace, I was fitted out in the above fashion, but, by premeditation, I walked as slowly as I could, in spite of the urging of my guides, the eunuchs. The prince, having seen this, ordered them to uncover me, and that in future I was to be allowed to come and go without being covered. He said that the minds of the Christians were not filthy like those of the Mahomedans.
This prince held me in such affection that he granted me permission to enter the Ghusul-klianah, which is a secret place where the second audience is given and the council sits. Into it only the principal lords and officers of the court enter. If anyone fails to attend, whether by accident or otherwise, he cannot enter any more without fresh permission. To obtain this renewal he must make some present to the prince, at the very least one gold and nine silver coins; but with respect to me, I had liberty to enter and come out without anything of that sort. As the prince was in a fright that I would quit his service, he sought from time to time means of obliging me, and paid me all the honours such as I have reported. However,
204 IN THE SERVICE OF SHAH 'ALAM, 1680-85
finding he could not capture me through women, he resolved to have a friendly talk with me on religion.
Having sent for me, he begged me not to take it amiss if he gave me a warning; his religion forced it upon him, and to discharge his conscience he was obliged to give it thrice. Following on this, he said it was his intention to elevate me to the rank of a noble at his court; but before this could be I must adopt his religion, which was assuredly the best, and through it I would gain salvation. The moment he had finished his discourse I made a very low bow, and said I knew very well what was contained in the Quran, also what the Gospel imposed on me. There I had learnt that without baptism no one could enter the kingdom of heaven, and to gain it I was ready to spend and give up my life.
A Pepys of Mongul India (1653-1708) Page 21
