The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.31

v4.c15.31

Abu-'l-Fazl, on whose speculations Akbar in later years firmly relied, was, perhaps, the most subtle and the most fulsome adviser and flatterer that ever monarch had. Adulation is the business of the counsellor and of the historian of an eastern ruler, but Abu-'l-Fazl surpassed other historians and encomiasts as the light of the sun surpasses that of the moon. Most Eastern courtiers are content with assuring their masters that they are the best, the wisest and the greatest of mankind, but Abu-'l-Fazl's panegyrics contain the suggestion, if not the assertion, that his master is something more than man. His boyish idleness is attributed to a divinely inspired desire to remain behind a veil, concealing his powers from all, until the time came for him to reveal to a wondering world his divine commission. Similarly the emperor's devotion, in his maturer years, to the childish and futile diversion of pigeon-flying is represented as a form of worship. This fulsome adulation, which disgusts even those accustomed by long study to the flights of oriental encomiasts, had its motive. It was not self-advancement, but it may be suspected that it was revenge. This question will be discussed later.