The Book of Akbar 347.6

347.6

Jahanbani, Jinnat ‘Ashiyani. This camel-driver’s son in the beginning of his infatuated career had held the relation of being the beloved of ‘Abdu-r-rahman, and according to the wicked ways of Transoxiana, which are neither consuming nor melting, neither love nor friendship, they took the path of shamelessness and immodesty, and played the game of affection with one another. On account of this relation Shaham came to his house, and fell to remembering Aram Jan, and asked that she might be returned to him. The story of Aram Jan is this. She was a prostitute, and ‘Ali Quli Khan, from love to her, which had its source in lust, surrendered his futile heart to that street-walker, who was the embraced of thousands, and married her. He put her in the rank of his wives, and had the shamelessness to bring that slut to the drinking-bouts which he had with Shaham Beg in order that she might recite and sing, and become the groundwork of strife. At last Shaham Beg by degrees fell in love with her, or rather came to lust after her, and, as ‘Ali Quli Khan was overcome by sensuality, he acted as Shaham’s servant, and made his lands into three portions, keeping one for himself, and giving two to that clown’s son, and waiting upon him. One night that intoxicated wretch brought forward his wishes, and ‘Ali Quli Khan was so wanting in self-respect as to make over to him his own wedded wife.