The Book of Akbar 312.8

312.8

And whereas the sages of religions and sects have set apart certain days of the months and years, for the purposes of thanksgiving, in accordance with celestial phenomena and spiritual stations, and for the enjoyment of all mankind—which is the motive for so many charities and good works—and have given them the name of Festivals (I‘yād). And have in those days of joy established thanksgiving, and have made good ordinances for the payment of the rites of submission and humility to God Almighty—which is the highest kind of devotion and obedience,—and whereas the rich and poor, the great and small, have to the extent of their ability spread the tables of abundance and opened the gates of joy and success for the afflicted and distressed among their contemporaries (the brethren of the age and the children of the time), and have shown them various kindnesses, (it is ordered) for these reasons that certain great festivals, a list of which is appended to this proclamation, and which have been current in countries for several thousand years, and especially have been for the last thousand years observed by just princes and righteous philosophers, and which have in this country for some causes fallen from their splendour, be made current for the sake of soliciting the Divine favour and of following in the footsteps of the ancients of those happy times. It is proper that in all our dominions they be fully observed in cities, towns and villages.