The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c24.23

v3.c24.23

Another story also exhibits A‘zam in a pleasing light. One day, while practising with his bow and arrow he accidentally wounded the only son of a widow. The woman appealed for justice to the *qāzī*, who sent an officer to summon the king to his court. The officer gained access to the royal presence by a stratagem and unceremoniously served the summons. A‘zam, after concealing a short sword beneath his arm, obeyed the summons and, on appearing before the judge, was abruptly charged with his offence and commanded to indemnify the complainant. After a short discussion of terms the woman was compensated, and the judge, on ascertaining that she was satisfied, rose, made his reverence to the king, and seated him on a throne which had been prepared for his reception. The king, drawing his sword, turned to the *qāzī* and said, ‘Well, judge, you have done your duty. If you had failed in it by a hair’s breadth I would have taken your head off with this sword!’ The *qāzī* placed his hand under the cushion on which the king was seated, and, producing a scourge, said, ‘O king! You have obeyed the law. Had you failed in this duty your back should have been scarified with this scourge!’ A‘zam, appreciating the *qāzī’s* manly independence, richly rewarded him. If this story be true Bengal can boast of a prince more law-abiding than Henry of Monmouth and of a judge at least as firm as Gascoigne.