The Book of Akbar 299.4

299.4

At the close of Friday Rabi’-al-awwal 963, Shah others who had returned Blochmann's remarks thereon. A.F.’s statement that the fall occurred on a Friday is supported by the circumstance that a number of worshippers were assembled at the adjoining mosque, as would naturally be the case on a Friday, and also by the testimony of Katibi-Rumi, the Turkish admiral, Sidi ‘Ali Reis. He was in Delhi at the time; and, though he does not expressly say so, he was apparently present at the last audience. His words (Vambery's translation, Luzac, 1899, p. 55) are: “All was ready for the start (the Admiral's). Humayun had given audience on Friday even, when, upon leaving his castle of pleasure, the Muezzin announced the Ezan just as he was descending the staircase. It was his wont, whenever he heard the summons, to bow the knee in holy reverence. He did so now, but unfortunately fell down several steps, and received great injuries to his head and arm.” Truly the proverb rightly says, ‘There is no guarding against fate.’ “Everything was confusion in the palace, but for two days they kept the matter secret. It was announced to the outer world that the sovereign was in good health, and alms were distributed amongst the poor. On the third day, however, that was on the Monday, he died of his wounds.”