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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    on the river sands several squadrons rode from different direc- tions, discharging arrows that fell like rain in the place where we were. The cavalier related to the eunuch, finding that the thing was serious, began to skirmish, pushing his horse at those squadrons, with his lance at the charge, until he got stuck in a marshy place full of mire, where, unable to move, he was killed by the arrows. The infantry tried to scale the wall, but we defended our- selves and prevented them from climbing over. Among others, we killed the kotwal’s son, whereat being enraged they set upon us with still greater fury, and one resolute man leapt over behind the eunuch, and at once cut off his head. Primavera (Basant) had been resisting vigorously on the other side. Many more scrambled over and began to cut down the few of us found here and there. The man that cut off the eunuch’s head and some others came against me with great rage, and seeing that our defence was overcome, I went straight to them, and, throwing my sword on the ground, stepped two paces to the front. Placing myself humbly before them, I lowered my head and said : ‘ Slay me, slay me !’ and, shutting my eyes, I awaited the blow. But finding it came not, I lifted my head, and saw a soldier of the same troop of the enemy standing between us two. With hands extended, he was begging on behalf of God that they should not kill me [265]. But the other most angrily, his raised sword dripping with blood, ordered him to get out of the way. He who was pleading for me said : ‘ First kill me, and spare this other.’ My assailant, seeing the determination of his fellow-soldier, went off to find someone else, and left me alone. He who saved me took me by the hand and led me away, saying : ‘ Come with me ; I want to deliver you and place you in safety.’ But I, knowing the instability of the Mahomedans, said to him that as he wanted to kill me, he need practise no deception on me, as I was ready for my fate ; there was no need to remove me from that place ; but if he wanted to kill me, he could do it where we were. Seeing what was in my mind, he sheathed his sword, and gave me his word not to hurt me, but at the cost of his life would prevent others doing so, and take me to a place of safety.