a5o G A N G E T I C H I N D O O S T A N. 



minifter Abulfazel. The reader will lament to hear the fate of 

 this great man, who was in the year 1601 murdered in the 

 Decan, where he had been fent by his mafter on fome import- 

 ant bufinefs, by the contrivance of Sultan Silecm, eldeft fon 

 to his mailer Akbar. Sileem, confcious of his own demerit, 

 dreaded his return, and the effects of his wife advice. He in- 

 lligated a lawlefs Rajab, named Nerjingb Deo, by a great reward 

 to execute the foul murder. He attacked him y\Q2.v Givalior\ 

 and notwithltanding Abulfazel made a moll gallant defence, he 

 was overpowered, flain, and his head cut off, and fent to the 

 bafe Sileem *. Akbar felt the utmofl forrow at the lofs of his 

 able minifter. Notwithflanding this he w^as reconciled to his 

 affaflin ion, received him with the utmoll: affedtion, and even 

 nominated him fuccelTor to the empire. In what a venial light 

 muft murder be feen in thofe days I Sileem did fucceed, by the 

 name of Jebangir, and was called a good emperor ! 



The firft volume of the Ayeen Akberry is as minute as the 

 Northumberland houfliold book, but on a greater fcale. It is a 

 very curious performance. Among other departments, is that 

 of the Feel Khaneb^ or elephant ftables ; every minutia refpedl- 

 ing the management of thofe vaft animals may be found there. 

 I fliall only mention a few particulars; the price of an elephant 

 yx'^ taken from the w^oods is about a hundred roupees, but by 

 difcipline it may be brought to the value of a lack of roupeeSy 

 or twelve thoufand five hundred pounds t. 

 Height of The ufual height of thefe animals is about nine feet and a 



Elephants. 



* Gladwin's Hift. Jehangir. Events relating to Sultan Sileem, p. vi. 

 t This in the time of Akbjir. 



half* 



