The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c24.s5.3

v4.c24.s5.3

Akbar-nāma. By Shaikh Abu-’l-Fazl. Published by the A.S.B. in the *Bibliotheca Indica* series. Text, 3 volumes. A most valuable chronicle of Akbar’s reign and the principal authority for dates and bare facts. When it goes beyond these it is highly coloured by Abu-’l-Fazl’s adulation of his master. The *Akbar-nāma* has been translated into English by Mr H. Beveridge and published by the A.S.B. in the same series. Āīn-i-Akbarī. By Shaikh Abu-’l-Fazl. Published by the A.S.B. in the *Bibliotheca Indica* series. Text, 3 volumes. English translation in the same series, three volumes, vol. I by Blochmann and vols. II and III by Jarrett. The translation of vol. I is generally accurate but its chief value lies in the copious notes and appendices with which the erudition of Mr Blochmann has enriched it. The translation of vols. II and III is excellent and the notes are ample,¹ but the statistical account of the provinces in vol. II is marred by failure to identify place names. The *Āīn-i-Akbarī* contains a code of Akbar’s regulations in all departments and on all subjects and includes, besides some extraneous matter, a valuable and minute statistical account of his empire, with historical and other notes. Muntakhab-ut-Tawārīkh. By ‘Abdul-Qādir Badāūni. Also known as *Tārīkh-i-Badāūni*. Published by the A.S.B. in the *Bibliotheca Indica* series. Text, 3 volumes. English translation in the same series. Vol. I by Lt.-Col. Ranking, vol. II by the Rev. W. H. Lowe, vol. III by Lt.-Col. Haig. The book, being written from the point of view taken by a bigoted Sunnī, is of the highest value as a check on the turgid panegyric composed by the latitudinarian Abu-’l-Fazl. Tabaqāt-i-Akbarī. By Khvāja Nizām-ud-dīn Ahmad. Text, Lucknow lithographed edition of A.H. 1292 (A.D. 1875). A dry chronicle of events, without comment, written by a highly placed and therefore cautious official. The chronology is faulty but the work is specially valuable for a record of events in Gujarāt, where the author was much employed. It is brought down to the thirty-ninth year of the reign. Tārīkh-i-Firishta. Bombay lithographed text of 1832. A mere compilation, which contains, however, a few interesting items of information, especially relating to the Deccan, contributed by the author from his own personal knowledge. Darbār-i-Akbarī (in Urdu). By Shams-ul-‘Ulamā Maulānā Maulavī Muhammad Husain, Āzād. Rifāh-i-‘Āmm Press, Lahore, 1898. A useful compilation, based chiefly on the works of Abu-’l-Fazl.