History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c46.6

v3.c46.6

*Holi* and Muharram celebrations were not really stopped, as is asserted by *Storia*, ii. 154 and K.K. ii. 214. Aurangzib's order to the subahdar of Gujrat, 20 Nov. 1665, is clear:—"In the city and *parganas* of Ahmadabad (i.e., Gujrat), the Hindus following their superstitious customs light lamps in the night of *diwali*, and during the days of *holi* open their mouths in obscene speech and kindle the *holi* bonfire in *chaklas* and bazars, throwing into the fire the faggot of all people that they can seize by force or theft. It is ordered that in bazars there should be no illumination at *diwali*, nobody's faggot should be taken by force or theft and flung into the *holi* bonfire, and no obscene language used." (*Mirat*, 276.) It was really a police regulation as regards *holi*, and an act of bigotry only in connection with *diwali*.