The Institutes of Akbar 132.1.2

132.1.2

In his religious habits the emperor was confirmed by a story which he had heard of Sulaimán, ruler of Bengal, who, in company with 150 Shaikhs and ’Ulamás, held every morning a devotional meeting, after which he used to transact state business; as also by the news that Mírzá Sulaimán, a prince of Çúfí tendencies, and a Çáhib i hál was coming to him from Badakhshán. Among the religious buildings was a meeting place near a tank called Anúptaláo, where Akbar, accompanied by a few courtiers, met the ’Ulamás and lawyers of the realm. The pride of the ’Ulamás, and the heretical (Shí’itic) subjects discussed in this building, caused Mullá Sherí, a poet of Akbar’s reign, to compose a poem in which the place was called a temple of Pharaoh and a building of Shaddád (vide Qor. Sur. 89). The result to which the discussions led, will be seen from the following extract. [Bad. II, p. 202.]