Storia do Mogor : or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine.

Storia do Mogor, or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine.

  • Manucci, Niccolò, 1639-approximately 1717.
Date:
1907-08
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Storia do Mogor, or, Mogul India, 1653-1708 / by Niccolao Manucci, Venetian ; tr., with introduction and notes, by William Irvine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    XXXV n ™y ‘^'ed at Galle ’ !_. Egelha in text], ‘and, as I had feared, my said book fell into the hands of the aforesaid Fathers, who wrote to me on this matter. But little gratification did I get from their writings, with selections from my works, for they only set forth what was of comparatively little value in the book, and what was best they kept to themselves. Wherefore I earnestly and prayerfully beg and entreat that Your Most Serene Highnesses will deign to order the publica- tion of this little work, which is likely to be of the greatest use to travellers, missionaries, and merchants, etc®*, asking them to add a short and befitting preface, such as may appear best suited for it. If I could issue it at my own expense, right wi ingly would I do it ; but for such an expenditure my own resources, as well as the resources of my relations living in Venice, are too limited, therefore I have ventured to give this trouble to the Most Serene Senate. The original text, which I have always kept by me, I send to Your Most Serene Highnesses by the hands of the said Reverend Father Eusebius (which is a right good opportunity) namely, the First, Second, and Third Parts already completed. At the same time I send the Fourth Part, written in French, which has always remained with me, and has never heretofore been sent to Europe. In it the life of the Mogul and various events of the government, besides other things omitted in Parts I. and IL, are clearly narrated. I am now proceeding indefatigably with the Fifth Part, in which I examine in detail all and every event happening in these last days of King Aurangzeb s life, and I shall willingly give it to the Actor ’ [who IS referred to is not clear] ‘ if I am alive. ‘ The said _ Reverend Father Eusebius [also] takes with him a book containing sixty-six drawings of the false Hindu gods, wherein Hindu marriages and other ceremonies are repre- sented, all of which the Agent (?) will find explained towards the end of the third part. Nor must it be thought strange if various languages appear in the work now sent, for according to the amanuensis whom I chanced upon, did I compose the work .sometimes in French, sometimes in Italian, and occa-
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