The Institutes of Akbar 135.2.7

135.2.7

P. 180, l. 16, read Purukh’hotam for Purukhotam. P. 190, l. 15, read the heretical wizard, for the heretic of Jafrddn. who had gone beyond the four degrees, and acquired the four cardinal virtues. At that time he happened to live in his jagir in the Parganah of Karah; and when he heard of the affair, he applied for permission to turn Jogi; but His Majesty ordered him to come to Court, assuring him that he need not be afraid. Beef was interdicted, and to touch beef was considered defiling. The reason of this was that, from his youth, His Majesty had been in company with Hindu libertines, and had thus learnt to look upon a cow—which in their opinion is one of the reasons why the world still exists—as something holy. Besides, the Emperor was subject to the influence of the numerous Hindu princesses of the Harem, who had gained so great an ascendancy over him, as to make him forswear beef, garlic, onions, and the wearing of a beard, which things His Majesty still avoids. He had also introduced, though modified by his peculiar views, Hindu customs and heresies into the court assemblies, and introduces them still, in order to please and win the Hindus and their castes; he abstained from everything which they think repugnant to their nature, and looked upon shaving the beard as the highest sign of friendship and affection for him. Hence this custom has become very general. Pandering pimps also expressed the opinion that the beard takes its nourishment from the testicles;