A Pepys of Mongul India (1653-1708)

by Niccolao Manucci

Lastly he reached Madras with all his army. At this spot the Governor of Madras sent out to salute him Mr. Ellis, the second in council, accompanied by two other officials. They carried with them a present similar to the one I had given him when I applied for confirmation of the farmans to the Company. Their orders were also to pay many compliments to the chief minister. Of all these duties the Englishmen acquitted themselves.

  By chance I happened to be present when these gentlemen arrived at the camp, (because I had gone there also to pay my respects to the general and the chief minister. The visitors were badly enough received; for Da,ud Khan declined to receive this "ordinary present" as he styled it. He told them plainly that these articles were not such as could be presented to a man of his rank. He felt astonished that the governor should send presents of such small importance ; he should remember that he was the first man in the province, and lieutenant-general for the Great Mogul. He also said to them that he was

  greatly amazed at the governor sending a Brahman to Arkat in the company of Dr. Manouchy, to take part in the discussion of their business. The matter was fully important enough to demand a man of another stamp than this Brahman, a nobody and of no standing. His amazement was all the greater, since the man had tried to do harm to Dr. Manouchy, who had been brought up in the courts of Asia, more especially that of the Great Mogul. He added some further words in my praise and to my honour, such as is not meet for me to repeat.

  In the end the Englishmen were given leave to depart, and they received some very fine cloth-of-gold and silver, of which he made them a present. He added many soft and sugared words, for he declared to them that he was a firm friend of their nation; they ought to repose entire confidence in him, for he would at all times be ready to do them a service in all matters. But along with these speeches he did not omit to tell them that presents sent to a minister of his standing ought to be large and proportionate to his rank and authority.

  Those gentlemen wished to make excuses, but he declined to listen. Whatever efforts they made to persuade him that they were treating him exactly like all the other nawabs, his predecessors, and above all, Zu,lfiqar Khan, who is generalissimo at the court of the Mogul, he remained deaf to all their arguments. The English were much put out by this treatment, which was founded on nothing but cupidity. Therefore, foreseeing the inconveniences likely to be produced by his displeasure, they decided to employ some friends to plead their cause. They applied to the chief minister and others, who adjusted the quarrel. The conditions were that the same present should be sent again, adding five thousand rupees and some very rare European curiosities. After this they became friends.

  Da,ad Khan subsequently (July u) sent a message

  248 DA,UD KHAN VISITS GOVERNOR PITT

  to the governor that he was desirous of visiting him, as he (Pitt) could not come to San Thome. The governor requested me to go to that place (San Thome) to receive him (Da,ud Khan) (July 12), and escort him to this fortress (Fort St. George). This I did. We left San Thome with fifty horsemen, as previously agreed on. On our way we met the councillors from Madras, accompanied by a part of the garrison. After reciprocal compliments between the two parties, we resumed our journey.

  Upon reaching the gate of the town, we perceived all the soldiers—European and Indian—under arms, and drawn up in single rank on both sides from that spot up to the fort gate, while a number of armed men were on the town wall and the fort wall. These were arranged in excellent order, much to the astonishment of Da,ud Khan, who could not repress signs of admiration. Still greater was his amazement when, as they drew near the fort gateway the soldiers and officers, on catching sight of the governor, drew themselves up in line and went through divers movements which were quite unknown to him. They were only done in his honour and that of the governor. But being unaccustomed to all this military ceremonial, he was thrown into a state of confusion and apprehension. He believed himself to be already a prisoner. For this reason he spoke to me in a loud voice, requesting that all these men might be withdrawn. I reassured him, saying it was nothing but the usual ceremonial and method among these troops; he should not be in the least afraid, or suspect anything. At the same time I took care to cry out to the soldiers that they must retire.

  While 1 was speaking the governor arrived, accompanied by a large number of officials and servants. I told him (Pitt) he must embrace Da,ud Khan, who by this time had dismounted with all his retinue. This embrace was given, and then the chief minister and the bakhshl were received in the same fashion.

  Then we entered the fort, where the governor paid him innumerable tokens of respect and friendship and conducted him to his rooms. These were magnificently furnished. The bed in his room was covered with a quilt of (blank). He admired it in a way to show that he had never seen one like it before, and he begged me to ask the governor if he could give him a pattern of that coverlet, and this I did in a low voice.

  The latter (Pitt), readier even to give than the other to ask, made him a present of two others. He even offered to give him the whole bed. Da,ud Khan would not accept this, contenting himself with the two bed covers, these being of a wonderful, extraordinary, and strange workmanship. Upon entering the room the governor presented to him a ball of ambergris mounted in gold, with a rich chain of the same metal. After this was done they sat down, and the conversation turned on various subjects with offers of service. When the talk was finished, the governor sent for wine, and drank to the health of King Aurangzeb to a salute of thirty-one guns.

  Da,ud Khan responded to this by drinking the health of the King of England to the sound of as many cannon as before. Then they drank the health of the chief minister (wazr Asad Khan, who is nowadays Mirolo Morao (Amir-ul-uinara) —that is " Noble of Nobles." This title was borne by Aurang-zeb's uncle and father-in-law (i.e. Shaistah Khan, died 1695). A salute of twenty-one guns was fired. This was followed by a toast to Zul,lfiqar Khan, and one to Da,ud Khan himself, each with the same number of cannon. To end with, they drank to the Dtwdn, the chief minister of this general, and to his bakhshl, each time to the sound of fifteen cannon.

  He was astonished at the rapidity and dexterity with which everything was carried out, and was highly gratified by it all. While these ceremonies were taking place, they made him a present of several cases of liqueurs, spirits, and wines of Europe of 17*

  different sorts. All these he greatly prized. Next he was led into a large hall adorned with all kinds of arms. There he found a magnificent dinner prepared in European and Indian fashion. He admired the variety of the arms, for which, however, he had no envy, unless for the spears. Having asked the governor for one, two were given to him.

  He then went to seek repose for an hour, and after that took his leave. The governor accompanied him as far as the fort gateway, the general protesting against his coming any farther. There they reiterated their compliments and polite speeches, and Mr. Pitt wished him a pleasant journey. On his side the general put forward many offers of service, and assured him of a perpetual peace, wishing him every success in his enterprises and trading; and said he would ever remain his friend and protector so long as he ruled the province.

  The governor did not withdraw until Da,ud Khan had mounted his horse—nay, wanted to hold the stirrup for him, but this Da,ud Khan would not allow. But to me he said in a low voice that he would like to be saluted with some salvoes of artillery as he was leaving the town. This desire was carried out, the musketeers also accompanying him to the boundary of San Thome. I went with him half-way there, when he said that as it was already late I might go back to Madras. All this he said with many compliments and a thousand expressions of civility, ending by saying that he hoped to pass still two or three days in my house at the Big Mount, and rest himself there. I consented with the greatest pleasure, as may be imagined. 1 went there to see him before he started for Arkat, when he gave me a valuable set of robes, and repeated his offer of serving me just as he was used to do on previous occasions.

  The above is
the mode in which things happened and an arrangement was arrived at, the Mahomedans making profuse protestations to the English of service

  and friendship. We shall see next how these perfidious men acquitted themselves of such promises. At the end of December 1701 I was at Pondicherry on business connected with the Tanjor persecutions, of which I have already spoken. At the end of January in the next year (1702) I had trustworthy information that Da,ud Khan and the diwan and the whole army were about to leave Arkat again for Madras. This fact I learned from different sources through various friends and officials known to me, some of whom sent a warning to me that during this march some harm was intended to Madras.

  He had received peremptory orders from the court to deal rigorously with the English.

  This news forced me to forsake the pleasant company of the French, in order to return with all possible haste to Madras. I arrived there on February 2 of the same year (1702). On my taking leave of them the governor, Francois Martin, and the other officials of the Royal Company, strongly enjoined me to let them know what happened between the English and Mahome-dans, sending off immediately express messengers (pions). This requisition I executed without fail.

  A few days afterwards I warned Governor Pitt of Da,ud Khan's approach. In fact he arrived at San Thome two days afterwards. On my advice they sent him a Mahomedan servant of and trader under the Company, named Coja Ammad (Khwajah Ahmad), as also another merchant of the town named Narapa. But the second man fell ill and only the first named went; I went also.

  There I found the general, the diwan, the bakhshl, and all the officers assembled. They received me most cordially, showing many signs of joy and embracing me. They sent without delay for Khwajah Ahmad, who appeared at once. They directed him to inform the Governor of Madras that they desired his presence at San Thome. They had important matters to communicate to him. If he could not come himself.

  252 MANUCCI ACTS AS ENVOY ONCE MORE

  would he send the second and the third in council (February 4 or 15)? Then Da,ud Khan and the diwan turned towards me, and said I must confirm to these gentlemen (the English) whatever Khwajah Ahmad had been ordered to report to them. Then taking me aside privately, they told me to be sure to tell the said governor to come himself without fail, or send the two others of his council. Then they said we must both return to San Thome, showing thereby that they had no confidence in Khwajah Ahmad, and had no belief in his truthfulness.

  When we arrived at Madras we went together to see the governor, and told him what the Mahomedans had charged us to say to him. To this he replied that he neither meant to go himself nor send any of his council. He declined to do so on several grounds, principally because neither the second nor the third nor anyone else could speak " Maure" (the language spoken by the Mahomedans). But he urged me earnestly to return to the general (Da,ud Khan) along with Khwajah Ahmad, and explain the reasons which hindered him from complying with his request. If he had any negotiations to make with him and his council, he could conduct them safely through Khwajah Ahmad as their qualified procurator.

  The real reason why the governor declined to send anyone is that he feared the Mahomedans might oblige them by force to execute some writing by which they undertook to be responsible for all piracies throughout the seas, and on all the coasts of India. This is what they (the Mahomedans) had done at Surat to the other directors of the companies of France, Holland, and England. Or he feared they might be seized and constrained to pay considerable sums to recover their liberty. This was a customary enough act among the Mahomedans, and yet it would greatly injure their company.

  However, Khwajah Ahmad and I returned to San Thome. I repeated to Da,ud Khan and the diwan all

  MANUCCI ACTS AS ENVOY ONCE MORE 253

  that the governor had said to me. As I was about to leave I perceived that things were approaching a rupture, whereupon I humbly besought them not to employ me in such thorny affairs. The intention of the two Mahomedans was to make use of me as mediator between the two parties. They had great faith in me because I spoke the language fairly well, and they imagined that without harming much the one or the other, I should deal with things to their advantage and that in some degree I should adopt their side rather than the other.

  Thus they laid before my eyes the great danger the English stood in of losing Madras. In so doing they somehow forgot that I, too, had been suckled in Europe as much as the English ; that, for the honour of my country and of all the other European nations, I was under greater obligation to them (the English) than I could possibly be to the Mahomedans. Under these circumstances I parted from them as civilly as I could, and on sufficiently good terms, in order to be able to advise the governor of what I thought best for his reputation and the defence of the town.

  [The English made preparations to resist any attack, protesting at the same time against the high-handed methods of Da,ud Khan, who confiscated thirty loads of fine cloth and also took possession of three villages. Their protests were of no avail.]

  However, Da,ud Khan and the diwan, having come to the conclusion that the English were quite resolved on resistance, that the town was fairly strong and very well provided with artillery, and had a garrison of eight hundred seasoned soldiers, decided to send a message asking the governor to send me to San Thome. They were ready to discuss matters with me and settle the dispute to the advantage of the company. In spite of some time having elapsed without my having seen the one or the other of the parties, the governor lost no time in sending me.

  After an exchange of the usual compliments, Da,ud

  Khan began his reproaches about the English, whom he designated as over-proud and defiers of his king's orders. In reply, I laid before him several arguments, which I will not set forth, to avoid wearying my readers. All I will mention is that I showed to him the great harm being done to the king's interests by the way he was acting. For these nations, worn out by such continuous ill-treatment, must inevitably in the end leave the country and close their trade; but as soon as ever they got out to sea they would capture every merchant vessel they came across. They would make descents upon the ports upon the sea-shore, would carry off all they could find, would give quarter neither to rich nor poor, and wherever they landed would spread fire and desolation.

  To all this I added that, if they declined to listen to these arguments, so important in the interest of their king, I would, being his (the king's) servant, go to the court myself and prove to him the innocence of the English and the injustice being done to all Europeans. No consideration was being paid to the fact that these merchants were neither the defenders nor the protectors of these pirates, from whom they also suffered, and it was this very cause that made it impossible for i any of the European nations to suppress them, or give the king the undertaking that he demanded.

  In spite of this, Da,ud Khan wrote to the French at Pondicherry, the Dutch at Negapatam, and the Danes at Tranquebar, calling on them to send men and ships to help him against the English at Madras. These people, all of them, made excuses. While this was in progress attempts were made to appease the Mahomedans by pleasant words, and making them limited promises. They were not thereby deterred from continuing their investment (of Madras), although carrying it out less rigorously than at first; in fact, four Englishmen who had been made prisoners at San Thome by Da,ud Khan's orders, when on their

  way from Cuddalore, were now released and sent here (Madras), each being presented with a chaal (shawl).

  I communicated to Monsieur Martin, Governor of Pondicherry, all that happened between the Mahome-dans and the English. I told him it would be a good thing to send some men to Da,ud Khan and the diwan, so as to turn their minds from doing at Pondicherry what they were then doing at Madras. Thus that governor (Martin), who is extremely prudent and well versed in the Mahomedan way of governing, decided to send one person with some presents for Da,ud Khan, the diwan, and some other officials. Consequently, on the 15th of the month of March of this year (1702), Monsieur Desprez,
a merchant of the Royal Company, arrived at San Thome, and at once informed me of his presence, sending me a letter from the governor. In it Monsieur Martin recommended me to this gentleman, and prayed me to aid and assist him in his negotiations with Da,ud Khan and the other officials.

  As soon as I heard this news I threw up all the business I had at Madras, and transferred myself in all haste to San Thome, wishing to be of use to the French to the utmost of my powers. This desire was increased by the fact that I have always esteemed, and shall continue to esteem, them by reason of their fine qualities and the honourable attentions with which they have overwhelmed me.

  After I had arrived at San Thome I had a conversation with the said Monsieur Desprez. I found him very much troubled; for never before, all his life long, had he been concerned in a similar business, and had never paid a visit to a Mahomedan of this rank. I gave him encouragement, and told him I would do all that was necessary to carry through the affairs of the Royal Company. I would accompany him on his visit to Da,ud Khan, the diwan, the bakhshi, each one separately. This I did, and he was well received

  by these lords, who gave him many testimonies of the regard in which they held the French, and betrayed to him their pleasure at the French having sent to compliment them so very politely.

  Monsieur Desprez had brought a present for Da,ud Khan, and one for the cfawan, and never dreamt that the bakhshi would also require to be remembered. But I adjusted all that; I observed that there was enough in what he had brought to bear division into three parts; this I did. In this way they were highly contented, and he obtained his leave to depart after a very short delay. It took him only eight days to get through the business. When he said good-bye, the nawab and all the other officials requested him to assure his governor of their friendship. He might live unconcerned, nor need he have the slightest doubt about the respect they had for his personality ; and in all that lay in their power they would be always ready to help the French of the Royal Company. It sufficed that Monsieur Manouchy was the governor's friend to ensure their giving all the help that lay in their power, for was not he (Manucci) loved and respected by all the ministers of Aurangzeb ?