257 
1893.] W. Irvine — Reigns of the later Moghul Emperors. 
Muhammad Kazim commences the second year (1069 H.) with 
a long excursus on the necessity for a system of chronology and the 
varying modes of reckoning time, with some remarks on Akbar’s Divine 
Era and that followed by Jahangir. Those two sovereigns reckoned 
from the 1st Farwardin and used a solar year. He then informs us 
that Shahjahan restored the use of the Muhammadan era ; and that ’Alam- 
gir followed his father’s practice. “ And although the first fortunate 
“enthronement happened on the 1st Zu,l-ka’dh, 1068 H ; yet, the efful- 
“ gence of victory and success and the rising of the world-illuminating 
“ light of that founder of the horoscope of felicity and prosperity lrav- 
“ ing thrown the ray of joy on the world in the month of Ramzan of 
“ their year (1068 II ?), and the appearing of the star of strength and 
“ perpetuity of that chosen one, full of splendour, having lighted up 
“ the face of Fortune and Good Luck in those days ; the first day of 
“ that month of blessed omen, which was the new moon of limitless 
“felicity and pregnant with both worldly and spiritual blessings, 
“ was chosen as the first day of the years of that reign, rich in 
“mercies; and the exalted order obtained issue that in offices and 
“ calendars and patents and rescripts, they should make record after 
“ that manner, and reduce into writing after that fashion all occurrences 
“ and the reports of events. Accordingly, by the rule so fixed, I have 
“ to this point written with my descriptive pen the story of one year 
“ and twenty-four days belonging to the felicitous epoch of the sove- 
reignty and empire of that One worthy of the faith-protecting throne. 
“ And previous thereto there are entered the events of four months 
“belonging to the auspicious time of his being still only a Prince of 
“ the Blood, beginning from the day of the departure of the victorious 
“ army, intent on world-conquering and realm-seizing, from the province 
“ (khitah) of fortunate foundation, Aurangabad, which took place on 
“the 1st Jumadi I,' 1068 H. (in words), ending” [i.e., the said four 
months, Jumadi I, Jumadi II, Rajab, and S ha’ ban, 1068 II. ] “ with the 
“ 1st of Ramzan of that year, which is the first day of the years of that 
« reign full of happiness. Altogether the period covered is 1 year, 4 
“ months, and 24 days. Then will follow the second year.” After this 
passage he goes on to the festivities held to celebrate the accession, the 
abolition of the Nau-roz festival, and the substitution of another to be 
amalgamated with that of the Td-ul-fitr. Next, we have the appoint- 
ment of a Muhtasib, or Censor, as in Muhammad Said. (’Mamgir-ndmah, 
B. M. Addl. MSS., Nos. 26, 229, foil. 102b. to 104a.) I have no copy of 
the printed text, and therefore cannot give references to it, but the 
passage can, 1 have no doubt, be very easily found. 
Next in order of date comes Muhammad Saki Musta’id Khan and 
