History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c46.8

v3.c46.8

"It has been decided according to our Canon Law that long standing temples should not be demolished, but no new temple allowed to be built......Information has reached our...Court that certain persons have harassed the Hindus resident in Benares and its environs and certain Brahmans who have the right of holding charge of the ancient temples there, and that they further desire to remove these Brahmans from their ancient office. Therefore, our royal command is that you should direct that in future no person shall in unlawful ways interfere with or disturb the Brahmans and other Hindus resident in those places."—Aurangzib's "Benares *farman*" addressed to Abul Hasan, dated 28th Feb., 1659, granted through the mediation of Prince Muhammad Sultan. *J.A.S.B.* 1911, p. 689, with many mistakes, notably about the date, which I have corrected from a photograph of the *farman*.