The Institutes of Akbar 135.5.5

135.5.5

The sins which all prophets are known to have committed, were cited as a reason, why people should not believe the words of the prophets. So especially in the case of David and the story of Uriah. And if any one dared to differ from the belief of these men, he was looked upon as fit to be killed, or as an apostate and everlastingly damned, or he was called a lawyer and enemy of the emperor. But according to the proverb, ‘What people sow, that they shall reap,’ they themselves became notorious in the whole world as the greatest heretics by their damnable innovations, and ‘the infallible authority’ got the nick name of Abújahl. Yes, ‘If the king is bad, ‘the Vizier is worse.’ Looking after worldly matters was placed before religious concerns ; but of all things, these-innovations were the most important, and every thing else was accessory.” In order to direct another blow at the honour of our religion, His Majesty ordered that the stalls of the Fancy bázárs, which are held on New year’s-day, should, for a stated time, be given up for the enjoyment of the Begums and the women of the Harem, and also for any other married ladies. On such occasions, His Majesty spent much money; and the important affairs of Harem people, marriage-contracts, and betrothals of boys and girls, were arranged at such meetings.