Da,ud Khan sent to Monsieur Martin a very fine horse, valued at one thousand rupees, along with a costly set of robes; another set was given to the said Monsieur Desprez. The diwan and bakhshi also gave him a very good set each, and sent him off in a satisfactory manner. He bore with him a complimentary letter to the governor, and the latter was highly satisfied, being hardly able to contain himself for joy at being thus delivered from such rascals.
In the year 1703 I received a letter from Da,ud Khan and another from the diwan Chaadetulcan (Sa'adatullah Khan), and several others from other lords. By these letters they entreated me to visit them, especially as they had much need of me. I began my journey on
February 27 of the same year (1703), and found the said general at the town of Carpa (Cudapah, Karapa), distant one hundred and twenty leagues from Madras. I was very well received by these gentlemen according to their customs. They asked me to be so good as to treat a captain named Mohamed Jafar (Muhammad Ja'far), a Persian by race. 1 would not undertake the case, for he was already moribund—in fact, he died a few days afterwards. During the short time I was with their army I got no time to rest, for everybody pestered me, as their way is, for medicines—even those who had no need of them. They would say as a reason : " I have no appetite ; give me some medicine to make me eat like an elephant, or like a camel, or, at any rate, like a horse." And all these brute-like demands simply to have strength to slake their sensuality, for their minds are filled with, and they have no other diversion than, the desire to steal all they can, for no other object than the accomplishment of their carnal desires.
At the end of fifteen days they gave me leave to go in an honourable manner, conferring on me a sardpa (set of robes) and enough money to pay the cost of my journey. These gentlemen gave me a letter for the governor of this place (Madras), conveying many thanks for having sent me, and they told him other details of my journey. Verbally they directed me to say to the said governor that he must give back three villages, those that Zu,lfiqar Khan had presented to the Honourable Company of England in the days of his being governor; since then fresh orders had been received to take possession of them again.
I arrived at Madras, and carried out the orders that had been given to me. But the governor, Thomas Pitt, paid no heed to the message ; for having much experience he knows perfectly the manners and customs of this kind of people. They seek continually fresh methods of capturing some money. His reply to them was, that he was the owner of the villages,
258 THE FRENCH AND THE MOGULS
and that he meant to keep them, so much so that to this day he remains in possession.
On this reply there came certain menaces, but in the end the thing blew over without further disturbance.
The said diwan gave me another letter for the Governor of Pondicherry, Francois Martin, which contained but some compliments and friendly expressions. But the said diwan or governor directed me verbally to say to the said Sieur Martin that he had received orders from the King Aurangzeb to obtain the lands controlled by Pondicherry. The answer given (by the French) was that they had been bought from the hands of Roma Raja (Ram Raja), son of Shiva Jt, that afterwards they had received them back at the hands of the Dutch; that the lands were in their possession, and they meant to keep them to all eternity. After this reply they sent him a few presents, and since then nothing more has been said about the matter. It is the fashion of these Moguls to make a display of power (in this way) and proclaim themselves all-powerful and masters of everything. Subsequently, when they discover that they cannot overcome either by force or artifice, they dissemble, but if at a future time an occasion presents itself, they keep neither their word nor the friendship that they had promised.
COUNTRY BETWEEN MADRAS AND CUDDAPAH
I noticed in this little journey that the country is full of hills, and that the roads are very narrow. Thus, had the inhabitants displayed any courage or valour it would never have been possible for the Moguls, with all the forces at their command, to make themselves masters of it. I also beheld several ancient fortresses built by the Hindu princes of the Karnatik; for those who are nowadays in command on behalf of the Mogul had been warned of my approach, and invited me to visit them. £ach one
made me a present, such as some pieces of silk, some shawls, et cetera, and treated me most splendidly according to their fashion. It is true that the} r did not present these things to me for nothing, for in return I gave them such medicines as they wanted.
I noticed that these fortresses had not been designed by good architects or engineers. The works are (?weak) in spite of their walls being built of great hewn stones fixed in cement, and their being provided with hollow r s or ditches right round them. In some ditches there is a water supply, in others none. The forts have also some pieces of artillery twenty to twenty-five feet long, of which the calibre is so extremely large that a big fat man can easily get inside. The greater number of these guns lie on the ground outside the fort gates. There are, in addition, a few inside in different positions. I also noticed some small pieces on the walls and bastions, carrying a ball of from one half-pound to three pounds weight. They were mounted on heavy blocks of wood, without carriages or wheels, and their muzzles pointed into the air.
Their only use is to make a noise and smoke on the days when a new moon appears, or when it is intended to frighten someone, for to go through any drill with them, or to teach how to aim them in one direction or another, that is an impossible thing. Nevertheless, the Mogul never omits to sanction the money necessary for efficiently providing all these fortresses, and sees that there are faithful officers in charge, such as Darroges (daroghak) Ammy (amiri), and Morseg (mushrif) —that is to say (blank in the original). In addition there is a commandant at each fortified place. But the whole lot are thieves, and the places are kept like cowsheds.
During this journey I also received an invitation from Gulla Maly Can (Qhulam 'Alt Khan), governor of the fortress of Velours (Velur, Vellore), my ancient friend who gave himself up to Da,ud Khan, as 1 have
related. This lord received me with great joy, the more so that at the moment they were in the midst of feasts and banquets in honour of some grandson of his. This event he had looked forward to for several years past, and now attributed to the virtues of my medicine the appearance in the world of this new heir to his wealth. For this reason he gave me several things and uttered many expressions of gratitude; in addition he sent with me as an escort twenty-five horsemen and five matchlock men.
The fortress of Vellore is large and well built. It has lateral supporting walls and the ditch is large, about fifty cubits in width, and filled by springs rising in it. The water is full of crocodiles, and if by misfortune anyone falls into it he is at once torn to pieces and eaten up by them. Out of curiosity I went quite close to the ditch; these animals, seeing on the water the shadow of human beings, at once opened their jaws. I threw them a goat, which they tore to pieces at once and ate, snatching the pieces out of each other's jaws. I observed that at the noise these made other crocodiles rushed from different parts of the ditch. They were in such great numbers, and there was such confusion, that they could not be counted. They kept their heads out of the water and their jaws wide open. As a pastime I threw them several goats in pieces; they fell upon the pieces, and without any chewing swallowed them at one mouthful. At another place I made the men throw in some heads of goats with large horns. But no sooner had they been thrown in than the crocodiles with a toss of the head had at once swallowed them, for these animals are monstrous. It can also be said that they render the fortress stronger, and defend it from any assault that might be delivered. But what protection are they against the high hills surrounding the place, from the summit of which the walls could be knocked down by pieces of artillery ?
VELLORE FORTRESS: CROCODILES 261
According to the custom of the country there come at times strange men who, as a sacrifice for their sins, throw themselves into this ditch. The Mahomedans often sac
rifice buffaloes, cows, goats, et cetera, and all this forms the food of the crocodiles. Da,ud Khan, when he mastered the fortress, had all the thieves caught in the army thrown to these crocodiles. This he did by way of a thanksgiving sacrifice for the reduction of a place of such fame. This is what they ordinarily do to secure good success in their designs.
DA,UD KHAN VISITS SAN THOME
AFTER Da,ud Khan had taken the fortress of Pilconda (Penukonda), as already stated, he came to San Thome in the month of November (1706). Before entering the town he rested for one day and one night in my house, situated at the foot of Monte Grande (the Great Mount, of which I have already spoken). I was unable to go out myself to meet him by reason of the heavy rain then falling.
The following day he came on to San Thome, and went straight to see the Lord Bishop, prostrating himself at his feet, as is their custom in the case of religious mendicants. The bishop received him in the church with music and instruments. On his leaving he presented three hundred and fifty rupees to the household of the said Most Illustrious, and then retired to his tents.
As I was anxious to pay him a visit, the Governor of Madras, Thomas Pitt, asked me to go in company of the envoys he must that day send. I acceded to the governor's wishes.
The envoys were the following: Mester Rabart (Raworth) and Mester Fedorik (Frederick), both of the Council; the third Mester Devenport (Davenport), secretary, the fourth Mester Canosbin (Coningsby), both well-born, well-instructed young men of good carriage. Joined with them was the doctor of the Honourable Company, called Doctor Botler (Bulkley).
263
264 ENGLISH DEPUTATION VISITS DA,UD KHAN
The four above-mentioned gentlemen were mounted on handsome Arabian and Persian horses, while the doctor and I were in palanquins. During the march there went in front one hundred halberdiers, men of the country ; behind them were carried two flags, and after these marched sixty-two European soldiers, commanded by a sergeant. We went on and found Da,ud Khan in a large tent erected on the sea-shore, and fitted with carpets. He was seated on a small bedstead and clothed in simple raiment. On our entering the tent he rose and embraced us all, then made us sit near him. He displayed much urbanity, and was most courteous. After exchanging compliments, we passed an hour and a half in conversation with him. He professed himself a warm friend of the governor, praising his good administration.
Upon giving us our leave he presented us each with an emerald ring worth two hundred rupees, and placed in the hands of Mester Rabart (Raworth) a jewel to be presented to the governor; it was worth five hundred rupees. He remarked that he was sending it in sign of remembrance, and he would be glad to meet him and drink a glass or two to his health in his company.
The next day the governor sent him a messenger, a person of standing, with many compliments, to say that he would expect him during his march. Da,ud Khan started, but half-way reflected that the English would never permit his entry with a number of retainers and that some dispute might arise between the soldiers on both sides. Thus, stipulating with me to get his salute of guns from the city, he halted. He proposed going to a garden belonging to an English resident of that city, and sent word to the governor that from certain reasons he had changed his mind as to his visit. At once there started to greet him the same Englishmen as specified above, and with them a young man, a private merchant named Mester Lester (Lister), son-in-law of Daniel Chardin, also a
famous merchant, and much esteemed by him (Da,ud Khan). I, too, was of the company.
The banquet which had been prepared was carried to the garden along with several cases of good wine. When the meal was finished they made him a present of eight pieces of broad-cloth of various colours, different pieces of silver plate, such as candlesticks, fan-boxes, basins, inkstands, boxes, scent-sprinklers, et cetera, two large mirrors in gilt frames, several chests of liqueurs, Persian wine, and rose-water, a large quantity of dried fruit, almonds, walnuts, filberts, pistachios, apricots, et cetera, the whole amounting in cost to seven thousand rupees. The Nawab, pleased and satisfied, resumed his journey, and passed six days in San Thome. I felt it my duty to pay him a visit every day in return for the obligations I was under, and also because he asked me.
As Da,ud Khan was suffering from sciatic pains, he sent a man to beg the governor of this place (Madras) to do him the favour of lending him the services of his medical man to treat him. In reply the governor sent his doctor with all the articles requisite.
At this time (when Da,ud Khan was laid up) the Lord Bishop went to pay him a visit, and gave him a present of some torches and candles of white wax. He explained that he was a poor "darvesh" and had no wealth with which to find presents. He was received most courteously. On the next day Da,ud Khan went to see him, and said good-bye. He was received in the way I have already described, and once more he gave the bishop three hundred and fifty rupees. He drank a considerable quantity of wine, and the principal Portuguese inhabitants, to the number of four, were present.
One day before his departure I went to take my
leave. We then had a long conversation, and he
expressed his approval of the liqueurs and cordials
that on several occasions I had forwarded. I now
18*
presented some more. He gave me a present of a costly set of robes, and of three hundred and fifty rupees. He added that it was only a small sum, and must be made over to the little children in my house ; and he would not ask me to accompany him, so as to spare me the fatigue of the march, I being a man already getting on in years. He begged me to continue my friendship as before, and he would never forget me.
During the conversation a dispatch-rider arrived from the court with a number of letters. Among them was one from Zu,lfiqar Khan, of whom I have already spoken. By it he entrusted him with some business, and also in it directed him to make over to me seven hundred rupees as a present. Da,ud Khan executed this second commission on the spot. That noble (Zu,lfiqar Khan) had been condescending enough to write to me several times to ask for some lotions and medicines, by means of which his wife, who suffered from her eyes, had been cured.
Da,ud Khan started, and took with him the doctor. Before they left he gave him one hundred and fifty gold pagodas, which comes to five hundred and twenty rupees in silver, and a valuable set of robes.
MARRIAGE OF F. MARTIN'S GRANDDAUGHTER
Two days after the departure of these French captains the marriage took place of the Lord Governor Martin's granddaughter to Monsieur Ardancour (Hardancourt), commissary and second councillor. A grand banquet was given, followed by music and dancing, at which were also present the son of Governor Ruberto (Gabriel Roberts) of the fortress of Tevanapatam, and a councillor called Mester Barlu (Mr. Berleu). When the festivities were ended, they returned to Tevanapatam, and I in their company, wishing to pay a visit to Governor Ruberto (Roberts),
my old friend. This gentleman received me with great politeness, and after several healths were drunk we had music and dancing.
In the midst of this joyous intercourse there reached me, almost at midnight, a mounted orderly bearing a letter, which recalled me with all urgency to Pondi-cherry. I was wanted at once to treat the Lord Governor Martin, who was seriously ill. Upon hearing this sad news I and the rest of the company were much pained, not merely at having to break up our feast, but equally at learning of the grave indisposition of an old and affectionate friend. At once I was given my leave to depart, on condition of paying another visit to Tevanapatam, which I promised to do.
I began my journey at once, and at break of day arrived in Pondicherry. I found the good old man, then seventy-three years of age, in a high fever, with pains in the head, absence of sleep, and other symptoms. I started on the treatment forthwith, and held a consultation with the doctors of the Royal Company, one of whom was named Monsieur Maquari, and the other Monsieur Albert. By our efforts and the drugs we administered he was placed out of danger, and by dieting and care was restored to perfect health.<
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Not to break my word, and in compliance with the messages sent me, I went back to Tevanapatam, to the contentment of all my friends; thence back to Pondicherry, and finally back to my own house in Madras. Here I received news that a Monsieur Delavale, a married man and resident of Juncalam (Ujung Salang), a land belonging to the King of Siam, had turned pirate. It is three years ago that he came to Madras in the guise of a merchant. I gave him money to trade with, as did many other persons of this settlement. Having acquired enough money and a supply of goods in this country, he left it. To disabuse his creditors of any hope they entertained
of being repaid—at any rate, the capital amount—he captured an English boat loaded with cloth from Bengal, and took its captain a prisoner.
The governor of the place (Ujung Salang), on the facts being reported, sent orders to seize Delavale; but he fled, followed by all his companions, taking with him the prisoner, but abandoning his house and wife. The governor of the country took possession of his wife and of all the merchandise. Monsieur Delavale sought refuge in another province of the same kingdom, ruled over by a man who was an enemy to the other governor. The followers of this pirate Delavale are two in number, one called Monsieur Masson, the other Monsieur de Roubal. These events have caused such consternation among the merchants, that not one of them will venture on a voyage to that port.
FAMILY TROUBLES OF A FRENCH DOCTOR. MANUCCI CONCERNED
A Pepys of Mongul India (1653-1708) Page 27
