The Book of Akbar 144.3

144.3

Thus in a short time he entirely recovered, while Giti-sitani Firdus-makani gradually grew worse and the marks of dissolution and death became apparent. Then out of his active mind and truth-seeking soul, he summoned his officers and nobles and making them place the hands of homage to the empire (Khilafat) in the hands of Humayun, appointed him his heir and successor, placing him on the throne of sovereignty, while he himself remained bed-ridden (sahib-i-farash) at the foot of the throne. Khwaja Khalifa, Qambar ‘Ali Beg, Tardi Beg, Hindu Beg, and all the others were in attendance. Lofty counsels and weighty mandates, such as might form a stock of lasting fortune and eternal auspiciousness were imparted. Advice was given about munificence and justice, about acquiring the favour of God, cherishing subjects, protecting mankind, the accepting of apologies of those who had failed in duty and the pardoning of transgressors; about the honouring of those who did good service and the casting down of the rebellious and the oppressors. And he exclaimed “The cream of our testamentary directions is this, ‘Do naught against your brothers even ‘though they may deserve it.’” In truth it was owing to his observing the mandates of the Emperor that his Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ashiyani suffered so many injuries from his brothers without avenging himself, as will clearly appear from this history.