14 AMRA. 



streets of Agra, then the capital and residence of the monarch. The 

 principal durbar, or largest audience court of the palace, was thrown 

 open on this occasion. At the upper end was placed the throne of 

 Akbar. It was a raised platform, from which sprung twelve twisted 

 pillars of massy gold, all radiant with innumerable gems, supporting 

 the golden canopy, over which waved the white umbrella, the in- 

 signia of power. The cushions, upon which the emperor reclined, 

 were of cloth of gold, incrusted with rubies and emeralds. Six 

 pages, of exquisite beauty, bearing fans of peacocks' feathers, were 

 alone permitted to approach within the silver balustrade, which 

 surrounded the seat of power. On one side stood the vizir Chan 

 Azim, bold and erect of look, as became a warrior, and Abul Fazil, 

 with his tablets in his hand, and his eyes modestly cast down : next 

 to him stood Dominico Cuenca, the Portuguese missionary, and 

 two friars of his order, who had come from Goa by the express 

 command of the sultan. On the other side, the muftis and doctors 

 of the law. Around were the great omrahs, the generals, governors, 

 tributary princes, and ambassadors. The ground was spread with 

 Persian carpets of a thousand tints, sprinkled with rose water, and 

 softer beneath the feet than the velvety durva grass ; and clouds of 

 incense, ambergris, and myrrh, filled the air. The gorgeous trapp- 

 ings of eastern splendour, the waving of standards, the glittering of 

 warlike weapons, the sparkling of jewelled robes, formed a scene, 

 almost sublime in its prodigal and lavish magnificence, such as only 

 an oriental court could show. 



Seven days did the royal Akbar receive and entertain the religi- 

 nus deputies : every day a hundred thousand strangers feasted at 

 his expense ; and every night the gifts he had received during the 

 day, or the value of them, were distributed in alms to the vast mul- 

 titude, without any regard to difference of belief. Seven days did 

 the royal Akbar sit on his musnud, and listen graciously to all who 

 appeared before him. Many were the words spoken, and marvel- 

 lous was the wisdom uttered ; sublime were the doctrines professed, 

 and pure the morality they enjoined : but the more the royal Akbar 

 heard, the more was his great mind perplexed ; the last who spoke 

 seemed ever in the right, till the next who appeared turned all to 

 doubt again. He was amazed, and said within himself, like the 

 judge of old, " W/uit in truth T 



It was observed, that the many dissenting or heterodox sects of 

 the Mohammedan religion excited infinitely more indignation among 

 the orthodox muftis, than the worst among the pagan idolaters. 

 Their hearts burned within them through impatience and wrath. 



