The Institutes of Akbar 132.1.4

132.1.4

Soon after, another row occurred in the presence of the Emperor. [Bad. II, p. 210.] “Some people mentioned that Haji Ibrahim of Sarhind had given a decree, by which he made it legal to wear red and yellow clothes, quoting at the same time a Tradition as his proof. On hearing this, the Chief Justice, in the meeting hall, called him an accursed wretch, abused him, and lifted up his stick, in order to strike him, when the Haji by some subterfuges managed to get rid of him.” Akbar was now fairly disgusted with the ’Ulamas and lawyers; he never pardoned pride and conceit in a man, and of all kinds of conceit, the conceit of learning was most hateful to him. From now he resolved to vex the principal ’Ulamas; and no sooner had his courtiers discovered this, than they brought all sorts of charges against them. [Bad. II, p. 203.] “His Majesty therefore ordered Mauláná ’Abdullah of Sultánpúr, who had received the title of Makhdúm ul mulk, to come to a meeting, as he wished to annoy him, and appointed Haji Ibrahim, Shaikh Abulfazl (who had lately come to court, and is at present the infallible authority in all religious matters, and also for the New Religion of His Majesty, and the guide of men to truth, and their leader in general), and several other newcomers, to oppose him. During the discussion, His Majesty took every occasion to interrupt the Mauláná, when he explained anything.