Introduction
In 1615, English courtier Sir Thomas Roe was despatched to the court of the Great Mogul, Jehangir, to win his support for the East India Company in the face of Portuguese rivals. Roe presented the Emperor with various presents designed to impress him with the superior cultural advancement of the English, but he might have been better off keeping it simple.
Adsmere,* 25 January, 1615[-16].*
By the 10th of January I recovered so much strength as to sit on a horse;* and, having demanded leave, presented myself to the King. ... After many Compliments, I used some words to him, delivering his Majesty’s letter and showing my Commission, the Copy wherof (I meane the letter) I then also delivered in Persian; after that, your presents. He sitting in his state could not well discerne the Coach,* but sent many to see it, and Caused the Musician to play on the Virginals there, which gave him good Content.* ... At night, hee having stayed the Coachman and Musician, he came down into a Court, got into the Coach, into every Corner, and caused it to be drawn about by them.* Then he sent to me, though 10 o’clock at night, for a servant to tie on his scarf and sword the English fashion, in which he took so great pride that he marched up and down, drawing it and flourishing, and since hath never been seen without it.
* Adsmere is Ajmer, a historic city in Rajasthan, northwest India. Emperor Jehangir’s court often resided there.
* The editor, William Foster, has added 1616 to indicate that Sir Thomas was following the Old English convention that the New Year began on March 25th, so he dated January 25th 1616 as still being in 1615. This practice remained quite common throughout the seventeenth century.
* Sir Thomas suffered from frequent bouts of ill health during his time in India.
* That is, from where Jehangir was sitting the carriage brought from England was not easy to see.
* The musician was called Thomas Armstrong. The Emperor’s good content did not last long, and soon afterwards Armstrong left for home with 96 rupees in his pocket. A virginal is a kind of harpsichord.
* Jehangir liked the English carriage much better than the English keyboard. He liked it so well that he had copies made made, and gave one to his son, Shah Jahan. The original, Roe tells us, was handed over to Jehangir’s favourite queen, Nourmahal (Nur Jahan). Roe said that the copies were so good that he could barely tell them from the original.
Précis
In January 1616, Sir Thomas Roe presented Jehangir, the Mughal Emperor, with gifts from London. They included some live English music, a horse-drawn carriage, and a sword. The music failed to grip, but the coach was much better. Jehangir insisted on trying out the sword that same night, and was still wearing it a fortnight later. (56 / 60 words)
In January 1616, Sir Thomas Roe presented Jehangir, the Mughal Emperor, with gifts from London. They included some live English music, a horse-drawn carriage, and a sword. The music failed to grip, but the coach was much better. Jehangir insisted on trying out the sword that same night, and was still wearing it a fortnight later.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, if, just, must, not, ought, unless, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
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