64 AKBAR AND HTS MINISTEK. 



his own property. Immediately there was a gi'eat 

 rush, and no Httle l)ustle and shouting amongst these 

 men. At last each held in his embrace a column ; 

 Beer-Bul now went to one after the other in turn, 

 telling him to let go, but they all refused, each insist- 

 ing upon his being that of gold. When the noise had 

 somewhat abated, the minister tm^ned to the multi- 

 tude, " Here, friends, you behold with your own eyes 

 the momentous answer. You, too, each of you, thinks 

 that his religion is the precious pillar of State, but, be- 

 assured, none of you has reached the goal, for per- 

 fection does not exist here on earth ; all religions are 

 equally good if you be but true to their metal or 

 teachings." 



There is little doubt but that the people went away 

 marvelling at the profound wisdom of their beloved 

 Emperor, who, by the way, was well known for his 

 latitude in religious matters, for had he not married — 

 inter alia — a Portuguese lady who did not relinquish 

 her Catholic faith ! 



The above story a native related to me in another 

 and perhaps more probable form, since Akbar delighted 

 in testing Beer- Bui's ingenuity. According to it, the 

 Emperor asked his minister, " What is religion ? " or 

 " Which is the true religion ? " The latter replied by 

 requesting six months' delay for meditation, &c. — the 



