M. Hammer's Memoir on the Diplomatic Relations 



the most celebrated among the rulers of tlie world, the greatest of Indian monarchs, 

 Arslan Aga, the glorious amongst the renowned and noble — may his credit be per- 

 petuated I — who had been sent with the royal letters of the late Sultan Murad, of ce- 

 lestial abode, to perform the honourable service of ambassador, was allowed to return, 

 and arrived in the high and well-guarded residence of Constantinople the sixth of Jemad 

 ul awel, in the year 1052. 



Having had the good fortune to kiss the ground of the fortunate threshold, he delivered 

 the friendly letter of your high excellency to this unfeigned friend. The inspection of its 

 well-penned contents brought to light the complaint of the secretaries not having adhered 

 to accustomed courtesy in the letters sent from these parts, and the magnificent enume- 

 ration of all the provinces of Hind and of Sind. Be it, therefore, imi)artcd to their* 

 luminous minds, that the Ottoman Sultans, seated on the throne of Sulunan, never were 

 animated but with friendsliip towards the Indian monarchs, who adorn the throne of 

 Lahore. By the union of the belief of Sums, and by their accordance of faith, this friend- 

 ship and affection is evident ; and no reason whatsoever for inimical feeling being in 

 existence, how can it occur to their minds that any slight in the observance of friendly 

 ren-ard was intended ; and if some words, subject to many interpretations, have been taken 

 in an unpleasant manner, it is not worth while to speak of such a deviation from right 

 intention, nor was it prudent to search in such words for remote significations. If, in the 

 royal letters sent from hence, the expected degree of honourable expression has not been 

 attained, and such a want was taken amiss, is this a reasonable and just groiuid for 

 oniitling-in your letter the rules of the humble respect due to his Majesty, the glorious 

 Padshah, the King of kings, and refuge of the world ? Therefore, it having always been 

 usual that great monarchs participating of the Han'ifa truth, and firm in the paths of 

 friendship, should hold open the gates of correspondence and friendly intercourse, and 

 that they should send ambassadors of pleasant language and great knowledge, in order to 

 strenolhen the ties of friendship and union, by compliments of condolence and congra- 

 tulation: this has not only been neglected, but no royal letter having been sent, it must 

 reflect on the mirror of their minds, that this was not accordant with established custom 

 and friendly intercourse between gieat monarchs. If the numerous provinces of the 

 miohty Ottoman empire were here to be enumerated, their list wotdd not be contaisied 

 within the boundaries of this letter. But, not to trespass on the command of the Koran, 

 " Proclaim the graces of thy Lord," let it be known to you, that whereas by God's 

 grace, the sanctity of the house of God (Mecca), the garden of the Prophet (Medina), 

 the holy city (Jerusalem), and both the birth and burying-places of the greatest Pro- 

 phets, are situated within the boundaries of this empire ; and whereas the direction of 

 their afl'airs is entrusted to the hands of the powerful Ottoman Sultans, all the sects of 

 Islam both orthodox and heterodox, and all christian nations seek refuge at the foot of 

 their sublime throne. All the monarchs of the world acknowledge the truth, shining 

 forth like the sun, that the Sultans of the Ottoman family are the gi-eatest monarchs of 



An orientalism, meaning only the luminous mind of the King of Hindustan. 



