A History of Agriculture in India v2.c73.s2.5

v2.c73.s2.5

‘In the midst of all this splendour, Akbar appeared with as much simplicity as dignity. He is thus described by two European eye-witnesses: “After remarking that he had less show or state than other Asiatic princes, they say, that ‘he is affable and majestical, merciful and severe’; that he is skilful in mechanical arts, as ‘making guns, casting ordinance, etc.; of sparing diet, sleeps but three hours a day, curiously industrious, affable to the vulgar, seeming to grace them and their presents with more respective ceremonies than the grandees; loved and feared of his own, terrible to his enemies’.”’¹