The Book of Akbar 311.1

311.1

It is not hidden from the minds of the inwardly lucid and right-thinking that the pen of Providence in making entries in the world's records proceeds upon the principle that the successive arrangements of the universe cannot attain coherence without regard being paid to times and to the determination of dates: The fixation of events and elucidation of occurrences receive precision and certitude from the dates of months and years, and so the eternal decree has gone forth that after the elapse of a space of time some great event shall be made the commencement of an era, and that commands and transactions, sacred and secular, shall be based thereupon. As the glorious Accession was of surpassing felicity and augmenting auspiciousness, it was worthy of being made the forehead-star (gharra) of unlimited successes and the preamble of endless felicities. By the Divine inspiration which had cast a ray of light on H.M.'s heart, and the consensus of lofty sages who had obtained his glorious assent, this rubric of the roll of months and years was made the foundation of a new era and the diffuser of comfort and repose. As the world-lighting New Year followed close upon the Accession, and as the latter is nourished by the quickening glances of the sun, the (intervening) fraction of time in whose folds thousands of victories were unveiling, was treated as the decorative border to the days of the New Year, and as the preface of glory and conquest;