[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Akbar (1556–1605)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar) › [Akbarnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama) › [The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge) › 13 # The Book of Akbar 13: CHAPTER II. The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 13 - **Language:** English ### CHAPTER II. ### [13.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13.1) occurred when the altitude of Procyon was 38° and when 8 hrs. 20 m. had passed from the beginning of the night of 8th Aban 404, Jalālī era, corresponding to 19th Isfandarmuz 911, of the old era, and to night of Sunday (shab-i-yak-shamba) 5th Rajab, lunar era, and to 6th Kartik 1599, Hindu era, and to 16th Tishrinu-l-awwal 1854, Greek era;—4hs. 22m. of the said night (that of Saturday, or rather Sunday) were remaining. The place was the auspicious city and fortunate fort, Amarkot, which belongs to the second climate and lies in latitude 25 N. and longitude 105 E. of the Fortunate Isles. At that time, the imperial army had marched to subdue the country of Tatta (Scinde) and the litter of fortune had been directed to halt in the pleasant country and fortunate fortress, on account of the time's drawing nigh for the appearance of the light of the world. ### [13.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13.2) Among the strange circumstances which occurred near the time of the appearance of the light of fortune, there was this,—that before the auspicious moment above-mentioned, the mother felt a pressing urgency to bring forth the child. Maulana Cand, the astrologer, who by the king's order, had been stationed by the chaste threshold in order that he might cast the horoscope, was perturbed, as the moment was inauspicious. “In a short time, a glorious “ moment will arrive, such as does not happen once in a thousand “ years. What an advantage if the birth could be delayed." Those who were present made light of it and said, “ What is the good of “your agitation ? Such things are not under control." ### [13.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13.3) At this very instant the impulse to bring forth passed off and the astrologer's mind was set at rest somewhat by the transit of the unlucky moment. The ostensible cause of this supreme blessing was that a country midwife had been just brought in to perform her office, and as her appearance was repulsive, the holy soul of Miryam Makani felt disgusted and her even temper was rebuffed and so the urgency for parturition left her. But when the chosen time came, the Maulana became disturbed, lest it should accidentally pass by. The confidants of the harem, said to him, “Her Majesty, has after much suffering, got an interval of relief and is now slumbering. It would not be right to waken her. Whatever Almighty God, in His good pleasure, has determined, must happen.” Just as they were speaking, the pains of travail came upon her Majesty, Miryam Makānī, and awoke her and in that auspicious moment, the unique pearl of the viceregency of God (Khilāfat) came forth in his glory. ### [13.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13.4) They spread the carpet of joy under the canopy of chastity and curtain of honour, and made ready a feast of joy and exultation. The veiled ones of the pavilion, and the chaste inmates of the royal harem anointed the eye of hope with the collyrium of rejoicing and coloured the eyebrows of desire with the indigo of merriness. They decked the ear of good tidings with the earring of success, painted the face of longing with the vermilion of pleasure, encircled the fore-arm of wish with the bracelet of purpose, and donning the anklet of splendour on the dancing foot, stepped into the theatre of delight and joy and raised the strain of praise and gratulation. Fan-wavers sprinkled otto of roses, and winnowed the air with sandal-scented arms. Dark-haired maidens freshened the floor by rubbing it with perfumes. Rose-cheeked damsels gave a new lustre to joy by sprinkling rose-water. Red-garmented, sweetly-smiling nymphs enveloped the silver-bosomed ones in gold, by scattering saffron. Rose-scented, jasmine-cheeked ones soothed the rapid dancers with camphorated sandal-wood. Gold in thuribles on the borders of the carpet, gave off fumes of incense. They uncovered the stoves which were filled with lign-aloes and ambergris. Musicians created enchanting ecstacy, and melodious minstrels breathed forth magic strains. Verse. ### [13.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13.5) And soft-voiced Indian maids, Glorious as Indian peafowl, And light-fingered Chinese musicians Produced intoxication with wineless cups; And dulcimer-players from Khurasan Brought ease to laden breasts, And singers from the land of ‘Iraq, Everlasting capturers of joy. In truth there was an assemblage like the communion of saints and recluses in the exquisiteness of its repose, and a carousal like a feast of spiritual beings in the absence of wine and cup. Celestial spectators took part in the rejoicings without the aid of bodily organs of vision, and sightseers from the upper world poured forth this strain with tongueless tongues: Verse. What is this intoxication without wine or bowl? The wine which is drunk from cups is illicit here. Trays of variously coloured fruits were spread, and tables laid out with different dainties. Robes of honour of divers colours were bestowed, and khil'at upon khil'at was presented. What shall I say of the hilarity and rejoicing, for there is no need of explanation or description? Were it possible to give any idea of the completion of --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.13) · Pramāṇa