Mughal Administration c10.s4.4

c10.s4.4

In practice this high ideal was seldom attained, though there are some noble exceptions in the history of Islamic lands. To take one example only, Abdul Wahhab Borah, the first Chief Qazi of Aurangzib's reign, was so corrupt that during 16 years of office he amassed a fortune of 33 lakhs of Rupees in cash, besides much jewellery and other valuable things. But his son and successor, Shaikh-ul-Islam, was of an exactly opposite character. He did not touch a penny of his father's ill-gotten riches, but gave away his share of them in charity. Not only did he decide all cases without the faintest suspicion of corrupt influence or bribery, but he even declined the customary presents and gifts from his nearest friends and kinsmen. [*History of Aurangzib*, iii. Ch. 27 § 10.]