A Book of Voyages by Patrick O'Brian

Author:Patrick O'Brian [Patrick O'Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2013-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

ORIENTAL SPLENDOUR

Sir Thomas Roe: The Mogul’s Birthday.

M. Tavernier: The Mogul’s Peacock Throne.

Mr. Bell: Hunting with the Emperor K’ang Hsi.

The Nabob’s Lady.

THE MOGUL’S BIRTHDAY

from

THE JOURNAL OF SIR THOMAS ROE

Thomas Roe went to Magdalen, where he was a commoner at about the age of twelve. He was Esquire of the Body during the last years of Queen Elizabeth, and he was knighted in 1605. In 1615 he was chosen to go as ambassador to Jehangir, the Great Mogul: by this time he had distinguished himself in the fighting against the Spaniards in the Low Countries, and in Parliament, where he represented Tamworth; he had also made voyages to the West Indies and the Spanish Main in search of gold.

His account of his journey and embassy (from which the first extract is taken) gives a striking picture of the endless delays, intrigues, changes of mind and inefficient splendour so characteristic of Eastern courts. By unremitting perseverance and judicious bribery Sir Thomas managed to conclude a commercial treaty with the Mogul, and so founded the prosperity of the East India Company. After this success he spent most of the rest of his life as an ambassador, although for a time he represented Oxford University in Parliament; he was also chancellor of the Order of the Garter and a privy councillor.

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