98 



Jacks of beegahs, and it then mained 67,'375 cavalry, and 8900 

 infantry. 



I conclude this account of Guzerat, taken from the Ayecu 

 Akbery, with a short extract from Abul Fazel's description 

 of Hindostan in general. "The whole extent of this vast em- 

 pire is unequalled for the excellency of its waters, salubrity of 

 air, mildness of climate, and the temperate constitutions of the 

 natives. Every part is cultivated and full of inhabitants, so that 

 you cannot travel the distance of a coss without seeing towns and 

 villages, and meeting with good water. Even in the depth of 

 winter the earth and trees are covered with verdure; and in the 

 rainy season the air is so delightfully pleasant, that it gives youthful 

 vigour to old age." 



" In the fortieth year of the reign of Akber, the imperial 

 dominions consisted of one hundred and five sircars, or provinces, 

 subdivided into two thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven 

 koubahs or townships; the revenue of which he settled at sicca 

 rupees, 9,0743881, 2, 5. The empire was then parcelled out into 

 twelve grand divisions or soubahs, each of which was committed to 

 the care of a soubahdar or viceroy; to which the sovereign of the 

 world was pleased to add three more, which he had obtained by 

 conquest, thus increasing the number to fifteen/' 



Such was the empire of Akber, and in all his vast domain no 

 part in beauty and fertility exceeded the province of Guzerat, 

 which still abounds with large commercial cities, the capitals of 

 districts which, since the dismemberment of the Mogul empire, 

 have become independent. Populous villages and a well-cultivated 

 country enrich most of the purgunnas with crops of wheat, rice, 



