The Akbarī Generations 72.1

72.1

The beginning of this year corresponded with Thursday, the 24th Muharram, 988 H. (12th March, 1580). The rulers of Kashmir had always been well-wishers and servants of the Imperial house. His Majesty now intended, after performing his usual pilgrimage to Ajmir, to pay a visit to the tomb of Shaikh Farid Shakar-ganj, and to visit the Panjab. So he sent Mulla Ishki, one of the old servants of the Court, along with Kazi Sadru-d din, to Kashmir. 'Ali Khan, the ruler of Kashmir, entertained them nobly and respectfully, and exhibited his fidelity and devotion. Along with the two envoys he sent his own vakil, Muhammad Kasim, to carry his tribute and productions of Kashmir as presents to the Emperor — saffron, musk, paper, shawls, etc. They accordingly brought them to His Majesty, and reported what they had seen and knew of 'Ali Khan's cordiality and good wishes. Muzaffar Husain Mirza, whom Maksud Jauhari had brought from Raja 'Ali Khan, was pardoned through His Majesty's clemency, and released from prison. One day, when His Majesty was taking his dinner, it occurred to his mind that probably the eyes of some hungry one had fallen upon the food; how, therefore, could he eat it while the hungry were debarred from it? He therefore gave orders that every day some hungry persons should be fed with some of the food prepared for himself, and that afterwards he should be served.