The Book of Akbar 312.4

312.4

Meanwhile the great officers of the Court have represented to us as follows: ‘It is not hidden from the inspired mind, that the object of establishing an era is that the seasons of affairs and events may be known with ease, and no one have any occasion for alteration. Suppose, for example, some one makes a contract, or takes a farm or a loan, and the period of execution be 4 years, 4 months ; unless the exact date of the beginning be known, it will be difficult, or rather, impossible to determine the date of completion. It is evident, too, that whenever an era has prevailed for a long time, the establishment of a new one opens the gates of ease and prosperity for all mankind. And it is known to students of history that, from the beginning up to the present day, it has been the glory of great princes and of pillars of wisdom to renew, by means of their own exertions, the foundation which has been handed down to them, and so to liberate business-men from the perplexity of difficulties. At present the Hijra Era, which begins with a day of joy to foes, and of grief to friends, has nearly reached one thousand years, and the Indian Era (Tarikh-i-Hind) has exceeded 1500 years. Similarly, the Eras of Iskandar and Yazdijird have exceeded thousands and hundreds of years. All this is set down in almanacs. The writing and speaking of such eras in conversation and in business is very difficult for men of the world, and especially so for the commonalty who are the centre of business.