The Events of Mushtāqī 3.7

3.7

One day, his son was leading a mare to the river to water, and in the sand he felt something under his foot. The boy took it up, and saw that it was a scabbard of gold. He brought it immediately to his father, and showed it to him, saying that he had found it in the bed of the river. Mamun took the boy by the hand and brought the scabbard to Mian Zainu-d din, requesting him to make it over to its owner. The Mian sent it to the wazir's office. In those days it was a rule that if any person found a thing lying in any place, he was to bring it to the police, and it was hung at the arch of the city gate. If an owner appeared, and on inquiry established his claim, it was delivered to him. It appeared, that a Hindu named Jugraj, was passing through the gate, when he recognized the scabbard, and informed the police that it belonged to him. They asked him if he remembered how much the gold on it weighed. He replied fifteen tolas. After inquiry the article was given over to him. * * On ascertaining who the discoverer was, Jugraj offered him two hundred tankas, but he would not accept them. His friends advised him to take the money, because it was offered to him as a free gift. But he strenuously declined to receive any remuneration.