The Institutes of Akbar 132.1.3

132.1.3

‘For these discussions, which were held every Thursday night, His Majesty invited the Sayyids, Shaikhs, ’Ulamás, and grandees, by turn. But as the guests generally commenced to quarrel about their places, and the order of precedence, His Majesty ordered that the grandees should sit on the east side; the Sayyids on the west side; the ’Ulamás, to the south; and the Shaikhs, to the north. The emperor then used to go from one side to the other, and make his enquiries......, when all at once, one night, ‘the vein of the neck of the ’Ulamás of the age swelled up,’ and a horrid noise and confusion ensued. His Majesty got very angry at their rude behaviour, and said to me [Badáoní], “In future report any of the ’Ulamás that cannot behave and talks nonsense, and I shall make him leave the hall.” I gently said to Áçaf Khán, “If I were to carry out this order, most of the ’Ulamás would have to leave,” when His Majesty suddenly asked what I had said. On hearing my answer, he was highly pleased, and mentioned my remark to those sitting near him.’