Page 29 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Fart I—Chap. II. 7

CHAPTER II.

MAIIOJIEI) NABI KUAN'S MISSION TO INDIA, 1805-1800.
20. Tlio glittor of the English money tempted another Persian to offer
himself for the service of an ambassador to the Governor-General’s court at
Calcutta. This was Aga Mahomed Nabi, mentioned above (paragraph 6) , whose
sister had been married to the deceased ambassador, and who had himself
married the deceased’s widow. As the terms of his expenses during the mission
wore the same as those of his brother-in-law, the Persian Government whose
wrath had already been appeased by the English presents, and who were now
anxious to find an ally against the Russians, readily welcomed the offer of Aga
Mahomed Nabi. Dr. Jukes, who wa9 a good Persian scholar, was appointed to
accompany the ambassador (Bombay Government letter to Mr. Bruce, dated
22nd April 1805).
20 A. Mahomed Nabi Khan arrived on 10th Ootober at Bombay where
he has been obliged to put into owing to a severe gale of wind and one of the
Bhips carrying away her masts and the fleet being much in want of water, for
the supplying of whioh they intended to have gone into Goa, had not the bad
weather assailed them and the above accident happened, which obliged them to
make for Bombay. On his arrival in the Bombay harbour, and the instant the
ship was recognised to be his, a party of gentlemen was sent off on the part of
the Governor to congratulate His Excellency and express his regret at his
having met such bad weather during his voyage, and to inform him that the
promptest orders would be issued for getting ship and the rest of the fleet ready
as quick as possible to proceed on their voyage to Caloutta, but His Excellency
expressing a wish to land and proceed from thence overland to Caloutta, every
preparation for bis landing was made accordingly and advices sent to the
Supreme Government. He landed on the 18th Ootober with all the honor
due to his high rank, the ships in the harbour being dressed out and saluting
him as he passed and was received on the pier head by persons of rank and
conducted in state to his tent on the Green, from whence he proceeded in the
same style (musio playing all the time) to the house prepared for his reception
at Chints Poogly. On the 25th he paid his first visit in very great style to
the Governor, accompanied by a number of gentlemen sent on purpose. After
the acoustomed congratulations and ceremonies were exchanged, the letter
from His Majesty the King of Persia was brought in by His Excellency’s
son-in-law, the ambassador rising and advancing to receive delivered it for­
mally to the Hon’ble the Governor. After the usual refreshments were done,
the ambassador returned to his house at Chints Poogly in the same style and
under the same honors as he came. On the 31st October the Governor
returned His Excellency’s visit in great style and magnificence, and on the
21st November His Excellency was invited to a grand entertainment by the
Governor where a very splendid party of upwards of 100 persons were present.
He spent the morning in inspecting the Grand Arsenal and Dockyard at
which he expressed great satisfaction and astonishment and in the evening
went to the entertainment. His Excellency was afterwards visited by the
Governor and chief members of Government. The ambassador soon after­
wards proceeded to Caloutta and was received and entertained there with no
less pomp and honor.
21. Mahomed Nabi Khan returned from India without effecting anything.
•See Kayo's itf* of Sir John Malcolm, The treaties* drawn up by Haji Ibrahim
Volume I, pages 143-144. and Captain Malcolm never received
Hie Royal ratification from London, and Haji Nabi Khan’s demands for the
interference of the British Government in the settlement of the disputes
between Persia and Russia were never taken into serious consideration.