[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [State papers](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin) › [Āʾīn-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari) › [The Ain i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett) › 35 # The Institutes of Akbar 35: AIN 20. · THE ROYAL SEALS. The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 35 - **Language:** English ### [35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.35) Seals are used in the three branches of the Government; in fact every man requires them in his transactions. In the beginning of the present reign, Mauláná Maqçúd, the seal-engraver, cut in a circular form upon a surface of steel, in the riqá’ character, the name of his Majesty and those of his illustrious ancestors up to Tímúrlang; and afterwards he cut another similar seal, in the nasta’líq character, only with his Majesty’s name. For judicial transactions a second kind of seal was made, mihrábí in form, which had the following verse round the name of his Majesty— Rásti mújib i rizá i khudást, kas nadídam kih gum shud az ráh i rást. “Uprightness is the means of pleasing God; I never saw any one lost in the straight road.” Tamkín made a new seal of the second kind; and afterwards Mauláná ’Alí Ahmad of Dihlí improved both. The round small seal goes by the (chagatái) name of Uzuk, and is used for farmán i sabtís; and the large one, into which he cut the names of the ancestors of his Majesty, was at first only used for letters to foreign kings, but now-a-days for both. For other orders a square seal is used, engraved with the words Alláhu Akbar, jalla jaláluhu, whilst another of a peculiar stamp is used for all matters connected with the seraglio. For the seals attached to farmáns, another stamp is used of various forms. Of seal-engravers I shall mention 1. Mauláná Maqçúd of Herát, one of the servants of Humáyún, who writes well the riqá’ and nasta’líq characters. The astrolabe, globes, and various mistars which he made, were much admired by people of experience. The patronage of his Majesty perfected his art. 2. Zamkin of Kábul. He was educated in his native country, and brought his art to such a perfection, as to excite the jealousy of the preceding engraver, whom he surpassed in the nasta’líq. 3. Mír Dóst of Kábul. He cuts both the riqá’ and nasta’líq characters in cornelian. He does not come up to the preceding artists. His riqá’ is better than his nasta’líq. He also understands assaying. 4. Mauláná Ibráhím. In the art of cutting cornelians he is the pupil of his brother Sharaf of Yazd. He surpasses the ancient engravers; and it is impossible to distinguish his riqá’ and nasta'líq from the master pieces of the best calligraphers. He engraved the words la’l jalálí, or the glorious ruby, upon all imperial rubies of value. 5. Mauláná ’Alí Ahmad of Dihlí who, according to all calligraphers, stands unsurpassed as steel-engraver, so much so that his engravings are taken as copies. His nasta’líq is charming; but he writes also other characters well. He learned the trade from his father Shaikh Husain, studied the manner of Mauláná Maqsúd, and eventually surpassed all. - [Previous: 34.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.3) - [Next: 36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.36) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.35) · Pramāṇa