Storia do Mogor 60.1.5

60.1.5

In the third place we must put the conquest of the kingdom of Caxemir (Kashmir). For this realm was not taken by force of arms, but solely because the King of Kashmir was greatly frightened by Akbar's victories, and made an offer to him of the kingdom rather than go to war. Akbar saw the feebleness of heart of this king, for with a few men he could have defended himself, Kashmir being a country which cannot be entered by force owing to the great height at which it lies — on very high mountains, with steep paths so few and so narrow that one man could stop a whole army. Akbar therefore issued orders that men of that country should not be recruited as soldiers, that they were unworthy to carry arms. In effect, he allowed not one of them to serve as a soldier. They are employed only as tailors — being good at needlework — as barbers, and they are excellent cooks. Many of them are dealers in the very fine woollen materials made in the said kingdom. The people of Kashmir are very good-looking, of a light complexion, with black hair and eyes and high noses. Thus there is little difference between them and the Jews, either in physiognomy or character, being deceitful and without stability.