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.

    471/512 (page 349)
    Armed with this single weapon hidden in a bag of brocade, he went to the place where Jlwan Khan was sitting. As soon as he got within sight of him the guards stopped the eunuch, and asked why he had come. The courageous Faridum (Faridiin)—this being the name of the skilful plotter—replied that he had been sent by his prince to present to Jlwan Khan a jewel contained in the brocade bag. The announcement was made to Jlwan Khan, who, urged by self-interest, ordered the man to be brought forthwith to his presence. Faridun, making with great respect the accustomed bows, came close with the bag laid upon his two hands as if about to present it. On Jlwan Khan extending his hands to take the present, FarTdun let off the pistol, which he carried ready cocked. It missed fire ! When Fortune takes arms against a man in misfortune, neither apparatus nor plans, however excellent, are anything but mis- takes and failures! And of a truth, had this plot of Farldun’s taken effect, then, during the confusion that would unfailingly have arisen among Jlwan Khan’s men. Prince Darà would have been free to make off into Persian territory as he had intended. The high-minded but unfortunate Faridiin was then seized, but they did not slay him, for it was not fair that such a stout and [249] courageous heart should end so inauspiciously. Finding that Darà had ordered an attempt on his life, Jlwan IQiàn continued his severities more strictly than ever. He put into prison all the people with Dàrà, leaving him with none but his family. The afflicted princess, learning that Farldun was taken without effecting his purpose, and already convinced there was not the slightest hope of delivering her beloved prince from the difficulties in which he stood, and aware of the final and crowning disgrace that must inevitably ensue, fell into the deepest desperation. Taking into her hand the poison kept ready for these final and fatal throes, she exclaimed, while sad sighs and torrents of tears interrupted her words : ‘ O beloved prince ! O beloved sons ! Now are your misfor- tunes at their height ! Now has the hour come for your lives to end. With your blood the cruelty of Aurangzeb will be assuaged. Would to God that my life could suffice to quench he thirst of this ferret, or that with it I could restore yours,