The Book of Akbar 146: CHAPTER XX.

146

pretension of the holy virtues of the exquisitely perfect one. Avaunt! Avaunt! How may the praise of the perfections of this unique pearl come from one like me? It behoves his panegyrist to be like himself but alas, alas! where is anyone like that unique pearl of the ocean of knowledge? I confer a lustre on my own words and I compass an achievement for myself inasmuch as I make my heart familiar with sacred knowledge and give unto my tongue the glory of spirituality.
O searcher after the knowledge of events, arouse thyself, and receive the announcement that the auspicious birth of his Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ashiyani occurred on the night of Tuesday, 4th Zi-qa'da, 913 (6th March, 1508) in the citadel of Kabul and from the holy womb of her chaste Majesty Maham Begam.
That pure one was of a noble family of Khurasan and related to Sultan Husain Mirza. And I have heard from some reliable persons that just as the honoured mother of his Majesty, the king of kings, was descended from his Holiness Shaikh (Ahmad) Jam, so also was Maham Begam connected with him. His Majesty Giti-sitani Firdaus-makani married her when he was residing in Herat to condole with the sons of Sultan Husain Mirza. Maulana Masnadi found the date of his Majesty’s birth to be Sultan Humayun Khan; and Shah-i-firuz-qadr (Victorious Prince) and Padshah-i-saf-shikan (Rank-breaking king) and also the saying “Khush bad” (May he be happy) give the date of this fortunate epoch, as discovered by the learned of the Age. Khwaja Kilan Samani has said:—
Verse. It is the year of his fortunate birth, May God increase his glory. I’ve taken one alif from his date, That I may blind two evil eyes.
The accession of his Majesty took place in Agra on 9th Jumada’l-awwal, 937 (29th December, 1530), and Khairu-l-mulūk (Best of kings) is the chronogram. A few days later, he made an excursion upon the river and placing the barks of pleasure in the stream of joy, gave away on that day, a boat full of gold, and by the largesse laid a golden foundation of dominion. Bravo! the first grace bestowed on him upon whom is conferred the sovereignty of the world, is munificence and liberality.
Verse. Not every man is exalted. He becomes head who is kind to men. The lion became king of all beasts Because he was hospitable in the chase.
And one of the learned found the date of this wave of giving in the words Kishti-i-zar (boat or tray of gold = 937).
From the commencement of his career till his accession when he had arrived at the age of 24, the notes of success and fortune were conspicuous on his destiny's forehead and the lights of glory and empire streamed forth from the tablets of his greatness and glory. How should not his lustrous temples radiate greatness and magnanimity when he was carrying the light of the king of kings and was the custodian of the granary of Divine knowledge? It was the same light which was shewn forth in the victories of his Majesty Giti-sitani Firdaus-makani and that gloriously appeared in the dawnings