The History Of India From The Earliest Ages

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1876. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... mohurs to the Begum Sahib. His presents secured Chapter Vi. him pardon and reward.81 The so-called history of the reum of Shah Jehan obscurity 0f the reign. may be told in a few words. It lasted thirty years. It began in wars for the establishment of his authority. It ended in wars for the subversion of his authority. The interval is a blank; it was doubtless filled up with revolts and treacheries, such as those already recorded, such as those which were at work throughout the reign of Jehangfr. The only authentic narrative that has been preserved is Catrou's history of the reign of Shah Jehan based upon the memoirs of Manouchi. Probably there was nothing worth preserving. Catrou's history chiefly refers to the great war which broke out between the four sons of Shah Jehan during the last years of the reign. Shah Jehan spent the cool months at Agra, the Nomade court, hot months at Kashmfr. His life in both cities was the same. To all appearance it was frittered away in public shows and private debaucheries. He had no taste for literature; he cared not for learned men. He delighted in the bloodiest combats, the coarsest farces, the grossest obscenities.22 21 Tavernier's Travels in India, Hook i. chap. 2. Tavernier speaks of gold rupees; he values them at sixteen rupees each; he is evidently referring to gold mohurs. The two bribes aggregated more than a hundred thousand pounds sterling. Tavernier was as much smitten with the mania for flatter)' as later historians. He tells the tale of tyranny and bribery from his own experience; in another place he says that Shah Jehan was the father of his people. It is easy to account for this base flattery. Tavernier was a jeweller; he complains bitterly of the obstructions of Aurungzcb; he had found no difficult...