Later Mughals v1.c10.s7.4

v1.c10.s7.4

Through Sadar-un-nisa, head of the harem, he sent a message to Inayat Banu, the Emperor's wife, that he had fallen in love with her. The go-between executed her task, only to meet with an absolute refusal. Again she was sent to urge his suit; "like a longing lover, he was fast bound by the long curling locks of that fairy." Inayat Banu writhed at the insult, undid her hair, which was over a yard long, cut it off, and threw it in the face of her tempter.* The younger brother's sin being pride, he displayed his disrespect in another manner. One day he was present alone with Rafi-ud-darjat in his private chapel (*tasbih khana*). The Emperor sat down on his chair. At once, without waiting for permission, Husain Ali Khan, sat down in front of him.† Highly-placed orientals are rarely at fault on such occasions, and Rafi-ud-darjat showed his usual readiness at rebuking an affront. Stretching out his feet in the direction of Husain Ali Khan, he said: "Draw off my stockings (*moza*)." Although inwardly raging, Husain Ali Khan could do nothing else but comply. [K. K. 821, Khush-hal 415a.]