1 160 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
2 The letter was translated to his majesty by a Portuguese Jesuit, oné of
3 several who were at the Moghal court. The emperor treated the envoy
4 politely and conversed with him freely in the Turkish language. He was,
5 however, advised by his courtiers that if the English were permitted to trade
6 in his’ dominions, the Portuguese, who were a stronger power, would be
7 displeased, and would cease to visit the Indian ports for the purpose of trade,
8 which would result in loss to the imperial revenue. The emperor, on this,
9 Theembissy of Sir SUMmarily dismissed the British officer. In December, 1615, a regular
10 Thomas Roe, 1615. embassy under Sir Thomas Roe came to Ajmere to negotiate a treaty of
11 amity with the emperor. His majesty received the ambassador with unusual
12 honour, and not only confirmed former grants, but accorded permission for the
13 location of resident Iinglish agents at some of the principal towns in India.
14 Sir Thomas Roe has left a vivid description of the court of Jahdngir, and
15 fis journal contains much information which may even now be read with
16 great interest.
17 The pestilence of The year 1616 was memorable for a severe pestilence which broke out
18 1616. in the Panjdb after two years drought. It is described as having been con-
19 tagious and lasted eight years. From the Panjab the disease travelled
20 to Sarhind and to the Dodb of Hindostén, as far as Delhi. In Lahore its
21 ravages were so great that houses full of dead were left locked, and uo person
22 dared enter for fear of his life.*
23 ance ian During the same year Prince Khurram received the rank or peerage of
24 goives the title of Shan“ twenty thousand,” with the title of Shah Jahdn, or “ King of the World,”
25 eek as a compliment to the great talents displayed by him in the war. He had
26 also the privilege of sitting on a chair placed by the side of the imperial
27 throne. <A grand expedition, organized against the Dekkan, was put in
28 charge of the prince, and, the army having been put in motion, Jahangir
29 himself followed, in order that he might be at hand to support the prince in
30 case of need, Malik Ambar was defeated and obliged to abandon Ahmeda-
31 bad, while Ibrahim Adil Shah, of Bijaptir, swore allegiance to the emperor.
32 Sir Thomas Toe's nee Sir Thomas Roe, who accompanied the emperor on his march to Mandnu,
33 gount of Shah Jahan. had the opportunity of forming the acquaintance of Shah Jahan. The prince
34 was then not more than twenty-five. He was grave and discreet beyond his
35 years. The ambassador, with reference to his demeanour, observes that “he
36 never saw so settled a countenance, or any man maintain so constant a gravily,
37 never smiling, nor by his looks shewing any respect or distinction of persons,
38 but entire pride and contempt for all.”
39 Death of Princo On his return trom Kdshmir, in October 1622, Jahangir held his court at
40 Biomow, 427) Ldhore. The same year, the unhappy Khusrow died in custody, and this
41 circumstance seemed to complete the security of the succession of Shah
42 Jahan. About this time also died Ghids Beg, the father of Nur Jahan. From
43 this time the empress, who was deprived of the benefit of her parent’s wise
44 counsel, began to exercise a pernicious influence over the destinies of the
45 empire. She-embittered the closing years of her husband’s life by in-
46 Intrigues of the Em- trigues and open warfare. The emperor’s health had been greatly impaired,
47 ae by a serious illness in 1621, and the ambitious empress determined that his
48 youngest son, Shahir Yar, who had married her daughter by her first hus-
49 and, should succeed-him. The report reached the ears of Shah Jahan, who
50 had just received a command to recover Kandahar from its Persian con-,
51 yuerors, After a fruitless intershange of messages between the emperor
52 gabe tebathon of Sha At Léhore and his discontented son at Mandu, Shah Jahdu, with a view to
53 Na counteract the designs of his step-mother, openly raised the standard of
54 P
55 * Ikbal Namdé, Jahdngtrt. ._., , .
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