The Institutes of Akbar 74.4

74.4

The number of master-pieces of painting increased with the encouragement given to the art. Persian books, both prose and poetry, were ornamented with pictures, and a very large number of paintings was thus collected. The Story of Hamzah was represented in twelve volumes, and clever painters made the most astonishing illustrations for no less than one thousand and four hundred passages of the story. The Chingiznāmah, the Zafarnāmah, this book, the Razmnāmah, the Rāmāyan, the Nal Daman, the Kalīlah Damnah, the ’Ayār Dānish, &c., were all illustrated. His Majesty himself sat for his likeness, and also ordered to have the likenesses taken of all the grandees of the realm. An immense album was thus formed: those that have passed away, have received a new life, and those who are still alive, have immortality promised them. In the same manner, as painters are encouraged, employment is held out to ornamental artists, gilders, line-drawers, and pagers. Many Mansabdars, Ahadis, and other soldiers, hold appointments in this department. The pay of foot soldiers varies from 1200 to 600 dams.