1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 85 



formula of the new creed gave much offence, it was at first restricted 

 to the palace. In the same year, the jazyah, or tax which Muham- 

 madan kings are enjoined by the Qoran to levy on all infidels, was 

 abolished, after it had been temporarily revived in 1575. A large 

 number also of 'Ulamas were exiled, or deprived of their jdgirs (Siyur- 

 ghdls) or sold as slaves, or, according to Badaoni, exchanged for Qanda- 

 har horses. 



In 1580, Akbar appears more distinctly as the head of a new creed. 

 The first order which he issued, defined the limits of obedience of 

 his disciples. They were required to be ready to sacrifice on his 

 account four things, viz., their property, their life, their personal 

 honour, their old belief. 



In 1582, the era of the Hijrah was discontinued. Akbar likewise 

 enforced the sijdah, or prostration, which the Muhammadan law 

 looks upon as belonging to God, and not to man ; and though this order 

 also gave at first much offence, the courtiers got gradually accustomed 

 to it, especially when the offensive word sijdah was changed to 

 zaminbos, or kissing the ground. Even Badaoni performed it. The 

 sale of wine was allowed, and a moderate drinking of wine was approved 

 of. Playing at dice also was allowed. The use of beef was forbidden 

 at court. The courtiers were ordered to shave off their beards. 

 Written formulas of confession came into use, which intending mem- 

 bers handed over Abulfazl, who now was the Mujtahid of the Divine 

 Faith, as Abkar was God's representative on earth. The confession 

 papers read as follows : ' I, such a one, the son of such a one, declare 

 that I have freely and cheerfully renounced the Islam, in all its 

 phases, whether broad or high, which I have witnessed in my parents, 

 and I hereby join the religion of Shah Akbar, to whom I am willing 

 to sacrifice property and life, honor and belief.' 



Several ablutions commanded by the Muhammadan law were abolish- 

 ed. Pigs and dogs were declared ceremonially pure. Disciples were 

 forbidden to make feasts in honor of a dead person ; they were enjoined 

 to prepare a great dinner for the poor during their lifetime. The flesh 

 of the tiger and the wild boar was declared lawful. Marriage with first 

 cousins or still nearer relations was interdicted, because the offspring 

 of such marriages was, as a rule, weakly. No young man was to 

 marry before the age of sixteen, and no girl before fourteen. The 



