Storia do Mogor 60.8.4

60.8.4

Leaving an only son, Janguir (Jahangir), he was buried in the tomb that he had himself prepared, as I have already said (I., 90), after having governed Hindustan for forty-nine years, seven months, and three days. There is no doubt that this king was the first who brought Hindustan into subjection, and was the most successful in war. He transmitted to his descendants several precepts of policy which, although not suitable for a mortal man with an immortal soul, who knows that he must give account before God for all his deeds, and there obtain their merited reward or punishment, were still in accordance with the faith of Muhammad. They demonstrated that Akbar was a man of good judgment, if we are to speak of him as a whole. With regard to Akbar's possession of artillery in Hindustan, and also in connection with the affair he had with the baniya, the opportunity is given me to speak first of the Chinese, secondly of the baniyas. I judge it appropriate to place here what I have to say on these two points, in order to afford the reader clearer and more distinct information as to how very probable it is that the Chinese were once the lords of Hindustan, and also to paint in accurate colours the astuteness of the baniyas [98].