Storia do Mogor 60.6.6

60.6.6

The reader ought to know that the baniyas, of whom I will speak after the death of Akbar, under a separate heading (I., 100), are very chary of giving a direct answer. Akbar was desirous of satisfying his curiosity by an experiment on this great reluctance to answer. He gave an order that the chief of the baniyas should be sent for. This threw the whole of them into a great state of mind, and they assembled in much dread and tribulation beneath the fort to see what was going to happen. The chief of the baniyas entered the royal palace all of a tremble, surmising that some misfortune was about to befall him. On reaching the presence of Akbar, who was taking a walk in a garden on the banks of a stream, Akbar asked him where that water went to. The baniya, confused and frightened, shook his head without saying a word. The king showed himself angry at this delay, and directed him to reply without any fear. The baniya answered tremblingly that, if His Majesty pleased, would he allow him the space of thirteen days in which to reflect over such an important piece of business? The baniya left the garden, much puzzled over such a question, while Akbar smiled to himself. Seeing that the king knew where the said water ran to, the baniya argued that the question must conceal some mystery.