The Book of Akbar 6: Author's Note.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 6
- Language
- English
6
As I consider it would be disrespectful to mention on every occasion in this book—which is a record of Divine praise—the sublime name of this King of the Horizons, I use the phrase Hazrat Shahanshahi, his Majesty, King of kings, and for the deceased sovereign, his Majesty’s illustrious father, I avoid prolixity, by using the phrase, Jahanbani Jannat-ashiyani. I indicate the venerable mother of the holy one by the title Miryam-makānī, a majestic epithet which passed into the enlightened mind of his Majesty, the king of kings. I style the revered grandfather of the Lord of the World, Hazrat Gītī-sitānī-i-Firdaus-makānī and thereby abridge his designations.
Note.
R. A. S. No. 117 has a curious addition to the account of the mandate (ante 27) which A. F. received to write the history of Akbar’s achievements. After afshānda, it has “Dar bīst-u-duyum Isfandārmaz māh, sana sī-u-siyum-i-Ilāhī hukm shud” etc. “On 22nd Isfandārmaz, 33rd of the Divine Era, an order was given.” Lower down where it is stated that a second commandment was issued (ante page 29) the same MS. has “Dar rūz bīst-u-shashum Ardībihisht sana sī-u-chahārum ki siyum Rajab nuh-sad-u-nuwad-u-haft hukm mujaddad shud” “On 26th Ardībihisht of the 34th year, or 3rd Rajab 997, a second order was issued.” I have not found these clauses in any other MS., but they are hardly likely to have been interpolated by the copyist and the first date appears to agree with A. F.’s other statements, for in the Āīn (Jarrett III. 416) he says that he was seven years employed on the history which with the year or so occupied in the collection of materials might bring the completion of the work to the 41st or 42nd of Akbar.