Author: Fr Pierre Du Jarric
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): C H Payne
Publisher: LP Publications
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 288
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788175364448
Description
An account of the Jesuit Missions to the Court of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor of India.
The account of the missions to the court of Akbar, reproduced in this book, is based on the letters of Akbar, and available documents..
Contents
List of Authorities
Introduction
CHAPTER ONE
AKBAR, THE GREAT MOGUL
The early Moguls-Tamerlane-Babur-Humayun-Akbar's concuestsLimits of his empire-Its fertility and wealth-Military strength-War-elephants-Personal appearance of Akbar-His temperament, tastes, and recreations-Methods of hunting deer-Public audiences-Administration of Justice-Punishments
CHAPTER TWO
THE FIRST MISSION TO MOGOR
Akbar's first contact with Christianity-Antoine Cabral-Pierre
Tavero-Father Julien Pereira-The Priest and the Mullas-Akbar sends for Jesuit Fathers-The first Mission-Its composition, dispatch, and arrival at Fathpur-Favourable reception at court-Debates with the Mullas-Their effect on Akbar.
CHAPTER THREE
WHAT IS TRUTH ?
Residence of Mission-The royal Princes-Akbar visits the oratory-His leanings towards Christianity-Doctrinal difficulties-The ordeal by fire-Abul Fazl-Revolt in Bengal-The Kabul campaigns-The Fathers lose favour-Akbar defends his Mullas
CHAPTER FOUR
FATHER RUDOLE AQUAVIVA
The Fathers regains Akbar's favour-Hostility of the Saracens-The mission breaks up-Father Rudolf alone at the Mogul court-His influence over Akbar-The Mullas seek his life-His prayers and austerities-Loved and respected by all classes-His return to Goa.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE SECOND MISSION
Akbar celebrates the feast of the Assumption-Displays his contempt for Islam-Leon Grimon arrives at court-carrier the King's letters to Goa-Jesuit Father again invited to the Mogul court-Arrangements for their journey-Akbar's letter to the Father-The Mission at Agra-Its failure and recall.
CHAPTER SIX
DISPATCH OF THIRD MISSION
Dispatch of third Mission-Arrival at Cambay-First fruits-Meeting with Prince Murad-Travelling with a caravan -At Ahmadabad-A Yogi-A wonderful tomb-Pilgrims on their way to Mecca-The feast of the Passover-Arrival at Lahor
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE FATHERS AT COURT
Welcomed by the King and the Prince-The King's library-A vassal Prince pays homage to the Great Mogul-Gifts fit for a king-Renewed hopes of the King's conversion-His reverence for Christianity and contempt of Islam-He founds a new religion-The Fathers open a school at Lahor-The King grants them permission to make converts
CHAPTER EIGHT
ON TOUR WITH THE KING
Akbar's electicism-The royal place on fire-The Fathers accompany Akbar to Kashmir-The country described-Illness of Father Xavier and of the King-Famine-The return journey-Prince Salim's adventure with a lioness-Celebrating Christmas at Lahore-The Fathers pay a visit to Akbar-A strange experiment-Facing a storm-The price of baptism-The King, accompanied by Father Xavier, sets out for the Deccan-Public baptism of converts at Lahore-A brave proselyte.
CHAPTER NINE
AT THE SEAT OF WAR
Akbar marches to Burhanpur-Father Corsi joins the Mission-His adventurous journey from Cambay to Burhanpur-The Deccan Campaign-The investment of Asirgarh-Submission of king Miran-The Governor of the fortress commit suicide-The defenders are bribed, and the fortress is surrendered
CHAPTER TEN
AN EMBASSY TO GOA
Father Peignoir comes to the royal camp-He pays his respects to the King-Akbar's designs against the Portuguese-An ambassador is sent to the Portuguese Viceroy-His reception at Goa-Akbar's letter to the Victory
CHAPTER ELEVEN
FATHER PIGNEIRO AT LAHORE
Work amongst the people-Opposition of the Brahmans-A friendly Viceroy-Father Pigneiro as peace-maker-Vice-regal state-Mogul death duties-The Kotwal stands by the Father
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE CONFIDENCE TRICK
Father Pigneiro entertains a thief unawares-He is drugged and robbed-His misfortune arouses general indignation and sympathy
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SOME NOTABLE CONVERSIONS
Christmas celebrations-A pastoral play-The Viceroy and other great lords attend the festival-Many are converted to Christianity-Some notable cases described-Some Armenian converts-Death of an Armenian bishop-An eclipse of the sun
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A BRAVE CHAMPION
A brahman convert-Persecuted by his parents-Takes refuge in the Fathers' house-The Fathers are charged with abducation-The Chief Judge acquits the Fathers and defends the Christian faith-The case is referred to Pagan judges-The neophyte is ill-used and insulted-He defies the 'Coxi'-Is taken before the Kazi-His courage remains unshaken-He resigns his wordly possessions, and is left in peace-The Chief judge commends his constancy
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
AN IMPERIAL FARMAN
Akbar returns to Agra-Benoist de Goes joins the Mission-An unfriendly Viceory-'The King was in his counting-house'-The Father obtain a far5man from Akbar permitting his subjects to embrace Christianity-The Saracens put obstructions in the way-Mogul red tape-A friend at court-The farman is issued
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A MIRACULOUR PICTURES
A picture of the Madonna del popolo is placed in the church at Agra-Great crowds press to see it-Its miraculous influence-It is taken to the King's palace-The King's painters try to copy it-The Queen-mother sends for it-Also Azis Khan and the ex-king of Kandahar
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1602
The Fathers rescue and baptise a number of Portuguese prisoners-Some other noteworthy baptisms-The remarkable case of a Greek Christian and his wife-Fifty shipwrecked Portuguese are sent as prisoners to Akbar-With much difficulty the Fathers procure their freedom
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
PRINCE SALIM
The Prince in rebellion-Murders Abul Fazl-Displays great affection for the Fathers and respect for Christianity Jacque Philippe-Death of the Queen-mother-The Prince makes submission to Akbar-Is placed in confinement and ofterwards released-His reverence for Christ and the Virgin-Makes provision for a church at Agra
CHAPTER NINTEEN
PERSECUTION OF THE FATHERS
Saracens and Gentile make vows and bring offerings to the Virgin-A Saracen of note dedicates his child to the Church-The Prince's physician is baptised-The perils of preaching the Gospel-Troubles at Lahore-The Victory's hosility-A Gentile conspiracy-Providence intervenes-Retribution overtakes the Viceroy and the chief conspirators
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE DEATH OF AKBAR
Akbar's fatal illness-The Fathers are refused admission to the place-The Prince visits his dying father-Akbar's last moments-His character and manner of life-His conquests and good fortune-Funeral rites
NOTES
INDEX