Storia do Mogor 281.4.4

281.4.4

and besides, they never adjudicate on any dispute, unless they obtain at least one-third of the moneys forming the subject of the suit. This is the most widespread vice of that part of the population ; but one must admit that it is so mean a one that it obscures almost all the good qualities that this people might possess. There was also in the time of Shahjahan a private person who summoned one of his neighbours for the payment of some food-supplies owing to him. He took the case to the qazi of the town of Agrah, he being the head judge. The government of the place was at that time in the hands of a eunuch, a man of sense and great judgment. The complainant referred to put in an appearance at the qazi's court, and produced his papers and the evidence on which he had instituted his claim. The judge, after examining the documents, said to him that they were not sufficient, and he must in addition produce witnesses. The man was greatly perplexed, and being unable to find any men ready to serve him — for at that time they were not as numerous as they are in these days — he applied to the governor, and laid before him a report of the whole affair. This officer, a most enlightened man, as I have already said, recognised that the applicant was in the right, and what he asked for was most just. For this reason he advised him to go next morning to the qazi's court, and get as close to him as he could, taking every precaution that no one should overhear what he said.