DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9696#0043
INTRODUCTION
xxxix
and Cammells." Moreover, he had no reliable assistants,
was travelling in a " badd tyme," and consequently found it
impossible to keep up with Bakir Khan's rapid movements.
The trouble began directly the two parties joined forces.
A severe dust storm, followed by " aboundance of raine,"
occurred at Khanwa. The camels were thus delayed and
did not reach Nibhera till a day after the carts. Happily,
Bakir Khan had halted "by reason of the raigne" (p. 278)
and so the two companies proceeded together to Bayana.
Mundy was much concerned lest his goods should have
been damaged by the wet, for a third of the carts were
"without covers and three quarters of the Cammells goods
lyeinge open in the feilds " (p. 278).
On the way to Bayana were the bodies of about three
hundred men staked by the roadside, " being of Rebells
and theeves " by whom the district had been " heretofore
much pestered " (p. 234). Some two miles short of their
destination, one cart broke down and another stuck in the
river " hard by the Towne." It was found impossible to
extricate it, and the bundles of indigo had to be carried
ashore on men's shoulders. There was great difficulty in
getting assistance, for though there were " 170 hired
servants, the night being dark and fowle weather, every
man shifted himself out of the way " (p. 279). The goods
were "verie much dampnified " and it was nearly midnight
before all the carts were reassembled. Thus, the journey
began inauspiciously, and from this occurrence Mundy
hoped " Mr Fremlen might judge of the future and farther
proceede of this Caphila" (p. 279). Fortunately, for the
sake of the wet goods, Bakir Khan made a day's halt in
order to be entertained by the local governor. At Bayana,
noted for "the best Indico in all India" was also "the
fairest Beawle," or reservoir-well approached by steps
(P- 234).
On the 1st March 1633, the united party set out for
Hindaun, passing in safety through Sikandarabad and near
a ravine which was well-known as a lurking-place for
robbers. From Hindaun, Bakir Khan sent his second son
xxxix
and Cammells." Moreover, he had no reliable assistants,
was travelling in a " badd tyme," and consequently found it
impossible to keep up with Bakir Khan's rapid movements.
The trouble began directly the two parties joined forces.
A severe dust storm, followed by " aboundance of raine,"
occurred at Khanwa. The camels were thus delayed and
did not reach Nibhera till a day after the carts. Happily,
Bakir Khan had halted "by reason of the raigne" (p. 278)
and so the two companies proceeded together to Bayana.
Mundy was much concerned lest his goods should have
been damaged by the wet, for a third of the carts were
"without covers and three quarters of the Cammells goods
lyeinge open in the feilds " (p. 278).
On the way to Bayana were the bodies of about three
hundred men staked by the roadside, " being of Rebells
and theeves " by whom the district had been " heretofore
much pestered " (p. 234). Some two miles short of their
destination, one cart broke down and another stuck in the
river " hard by the Towne." It was found impossible to
extricate it, and the bundles of indigo had to be carried
ashore on men's shoulders. There was great difficulty in
getting assistance, for though there were " 170 hired
servants, the night being dark and fowle weather, every
man shifted himself out of the way " (p. 279). The goods
were "verie much dampnified " and it was nearly midnight
before all the carts were reassembled. Thus, the journey
began inauspiciously, and from this occurrence Mundy
hoped " Mr Fremlen might judge of the future and farther
proceede of this Caphila" (p. 279). Fortunately, for the
sake of the wet goods, Bakir Khan made a day's halt in
order to be entertained by the local governor. At Bayana,
noted for "the best Indico in all India" was also "the
fairest Beawle," or reservoir-well approached by steps
(P- 234).
On the 1st March 1633, the united party set out for
Hindaun, passing in safety through Sikandarabad and near
a ravine which was well-known as a lurking-place for
robbers. From Hindaun, Bakir Khan sent his second son