The Institutes of Akbar 2.8.1

2.8.1

(2) The Maktúbát i ’Allámí, also called Inshái Abul Fazl. This book contains letters written by Abul Fazl to kings and chiefs. Among them are the interesting letters written to the Portuguese priests, and to ’Abdullah of Bukhárá, in reply to his question whether Akbar had renounced Islám. Besides, there are prefaces and reviews, a valuable essay on the progress of the art of writing, portions of which are given in the Ain, &c. The collection was made after Abul Fazl’s death by ’Abduccamad, son of Afzal Muhammad, who says that he was a son of Abul Fazl’s sister and also his son-in-law. The book, as above remarked, is frequently read in Madrasahs, and there exist many lithographed editions. In all of them, the contents constitute three books; but Amir Haidar Husaini of Bilgrim says in the preface to his ‘Sawdnih i Akbari’ that he had a collection of four books, remarking at the same time that MSS. of the fourth are very rare. It looks, indeed, as if Amir Haidar’s copy was unique. (3) The Ayár Danish, which is mentioned on p. 106.