Now that this preface has been set forth, give ear to me with a mind unstained by the fog of capriciousness. In the town of Bahraich is the grave of Salar Masud Ghazi, who was one of the martyrs of the armies of Ghazni. It is a custom in India for the people to make flags of various colours and convey them along with numerous presents to that place. Accordingly, a large contingent starts from Agra for this rendezvous, and keeps awake for several nights in the neighbourhood of the city. There is a great concourse, and both the good and the bad assemble there. Abu'l Fazl, the writer of this auspicious record, one day heard from the sacred lips of His Majesty the Shahinshah that one night when there was a very large assemblage of this kind near Agra, he according to his excellent habit crossed over to it under a special disguise. He was contemplating the various sorts of humanity when "suddenly a vagabond recognised me and said so to others. When I became aware of this I without the least delay or hesitation rolled my eyes and squinted and so made a wonderful change in my appearance. In a sense that they could not imagine, I was a spectator and was observing the ways of destiny. When those good folks looked at me they, on account of the change in my appearance, could not recognise me, and said to one another, 'These are not the eyes and features of the king.' I quietly came away from them and went to my palace." [[226]] While telling the story His Majesty imitated the disguise he had assumed, and so made our wonder the greater. In fact it was a very strange performance. ===========
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== Akbar-nama
vol. 2 == Abu'l-Fazl == Glossary
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