14 
and Salt. And at the same time, according to the years that His 
Majesty has lived, there are given away a like number of sheep, of 
goats, and of fowls, to people who keep these animals for the 
purpose of breeding. A great number of wild birds of all kinds 
are also set at liberty on this occasion.” 
HIS COURT. 
Akber’s court was perhaps the most magnificent in the world. 
It was the most gorgeous that even India had ever seen; and 
when the details of it, as given by Sir Thomas Roe, Hawkins, 
Bernier, and the Portuguese priests, which cannot be questioned 
as to accuracy or truth, are considered, it must be admitted that 
splendour, whether in jewels and ornaments, in costume and 
decoration, in cloth of gold and velvet, and the gorgeous manu- 
factures of the country ; in camp and hunting equipage, elephants, 
horses, and general equipment of the nobility and army, could go 
no further. 
Akber had a revenue of £30,000,000 sterling a year, which, 
without any reckless extravagance, was royally expended ; as was 
proved by the State Treasury at his death, which contained only 
410,000,000 sterling, with some bullion. He was never in debt, 
and the stipends of his civil establishments of all kinds, as well as 
the pay of his army, were disbursed with the utmost regularity. 
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 
Akber is described as a strongly built and handsome man, with 
an agreeable expression of countenance, and very- captivating 
manners. He was endowed with great personal strength and 
activity. He was always satisfied with very little sleep, and 
frequently spent whole nights in those philosophical discussions of 
which he was so fond. Although so constantly engaged in wars, 
and although he made greater improvements in civil government 
than any other king of India, yet, by his judicious distribution of 
his time, and by his talents for the dispatch of business, he always 
enjoyed abundant leisure for study and amusement. He was fond 
of witnessing fights of animals, and all exercises of strength and skill, 
