The Book of Akbar 316.4

316.4

It was the time when the festive board was about to be spread, and when he put out his hands to wash them, Tolaq Khan Qūcīn, who was strong and nimble, behaved dexterously, and coming from behind seized both of Shāh Abū-l-M‘aālī’s arms, and made him a prisoner. Others who stood at the foot of the throne came forward to assist. Shāh Abū-l-M‘aālī became helpless from astonishment, and surrendered. The men who were with him, being, many of them, old well-wishers of the dynasty, had intentionally assembled before him and on the same day became anew immediate servants (of Akbar), and received royal favours. This was the first head of game that fell into fortune’s net. In the institutes of sovereignty, and canons of justice, binding and imprisoning are commended for this reason that a trial should be made of ill-fated and contentious people. For man is a strange talisman, and a riddle hard of interpretation. It is not right to send him to the abode of non-existence for one displeasing act which he may exhibit, for this lofty foundation cannot be rebuilt except by the hand of God’s power. Therefore, wise administrators have not approved of haste in demolishing and annihilating this high palace. Verse. For the head of the slain cannot be joined on again. Neither is it the part of enlightened persons to stain a prison with the existence of a man whose evil nature, sedition and strifemongering, have been several times tested. But as the world-adorning God has made H.M.