Devoted servant of the court, why does Iaar Ali Beg consider it right to live in such miserable and straightened circumstances? He has not come across the prohibition of such a way of living (in the Koran), and he himself has got the post of ‘vakilship’. Why does he not act according to (the Koranic verse) ‘Eat and drink’?* Why does he bring me and himself under the taunt of the people? Man must be agreeable to every tribe. But what can he do? because this does not suit his nature (i.e., he is not agreeable to every tribe). (Verse) “Fortune is not acquired by the strength of one’s arm till it is given to one by the Generous God”.
His Majesty (i.e., Sháh Jehán) was very fond of giving freshness to the garden Hayát Bakhsha (lit. life-giving) and other places situated in the palace of the capital, by adorning them with trees, and by rearing up fruit-trees, and by cleaning ponds and reservoirs, and by looking after plants and trees. This traveller (in this world—i.e., Aurungzebe himself) used to enjoy them till his stay in the capital (i.e., Sháh Jehán Ábád) ended. It is better if Muhammad Iaar Khán* goes to the gardens daily and tries his best to keep them clean and fresh. Henceforth it is necessary that you should go to the gardens once a day and engage yourself, with great care, in repairing the buildings of the fort and of the gardens. You should write to me about the condition of all the gardens and buildings of the forts of Mūbárak, Sáhib-ábád, Aazá-ábád, Nūr-bári, and Saharand-bári which belong to (my) dear and dignified sister, and of other places, with the details of plants and trees, from the time when this traveller (i.e., Aurungzebe himself) went out of the capital till now, along with the condition of houses, (and in such a manner) as if I saw them with my own eyes (i.e., so vividly); nay, you should send me a map thereof. You should write to me about the conditions of the vine yards, of other gardens below the fortress, and of the garden of Mūhasin Khán which is much praised, and about those things about which you may have heard from reliable sources, so that I may come to know the most correct facts and spend money in repairing those ruined places. Alas! I have not repaired my broken heart (i.e., I have not repented of my sins); and wasted my life, like children, in play and game (i.e., in pleasure). (Verse) “I spent my life in play and game; alas! alas! alas!” (Couplet) “Alas! life has passed away; and I have no consciousness about myself. Alas! I have no hope of salvation. I said (to myself) that when I was awake it was daytime; (but) alas! the day has passed away and there is no consciousness (i.e., the whole day has passed away, but I have not repented of my sins)”*.
It is irreligious to imprison the plaintiff. Both the plaintiff and the defendant must be made free from the power of this suit. You should refer this case to the chief judge* so that he may decide it according to the brilliant Mohemadan law and there may be no oppression practised on and partiality shewn to either of them. God be praised, that our ‘Cádi’ is honest, good, and pious; he does not look on this and that man (i.e., he is impartial); and in deciding cases he considers the true facts. Let them (i.e., the plaintiff and the defendant) be pleased with the decision of the chief judge.
Shūjá’at Khán*, the governor of the province of Ahmedábád, has been exalted with an additional title of ‘Hazári’ and with a thousand horsemen. You should communicate this to him. (Verse) “These favours (shewn to the Khán), which you have seen, form only a part of all my favours. The important work (done by him) demands favours from me”. If he displays loyalty and self-sacrifice in (performing) the royal affairs and tries his best to punish the rebels and to win over the hearts of the landlords, he will be favoured more and raised to a higher position than this. (Verse) “The ladder of this world is egotism; at length we have to fall down from this ladder (i.e., man is sure to fall down on account of his egotism). He who goes higher is more foolish; his bones will be broken to pieces (i.e., pride goeth before destruction)”.