Blessed son, His Most Exalted Majesty* used to say, “Hunting is the business of idle persons. It is very reprehensible for one to be absorbed in worldly affairs, and to disregard religious matters. Because this world is as a field in relation to the next world (i. e. as you sow so shall you reap)”. It is said of His Majesty (Shah Jehan) that he used to get up cheerfully at four o’clock* in the morning; (then) he performed ablution at the ‘Ábshár-i-Taufeek’* and engaged himself in reciting the daily portions of prayer. Before daybreak, after the cry of the ‘Mūazzin’,* he said the morning prayer in the company of learned men. Then he went to the ‘Jharūkhá-i-Darshan’* and favoured the ‘darshaniáns’* with the blessed sight of his auspicious face. At about ten o’clock he went to the ‘Diván-i-Aam’* (in order to hold a public audience). In this assembly all officers bowed down to and saluted the emperor. The ministers and the treasurers represented to His Majesty the arrangements made for the crown servants, the facts about their good services, and the loyalty of inspectors, police officers, supervisors and district officers; fulfilled the desires of every one and encouraged others. After the usual inspection of the imperial horses and elephants, at eleven o’clock, he illumined (i.e. went to) the ‘Diván-i-Khás.* In this place the secretaries reported to him the facts about the newly appointed officers and received from him his final orders (regarding them). They (further) related to him important facts and events occuring in every province and considered orders, issued by him regarding every case, as final. These transactions were carried on till noon time. After this he directed his attention to take the special food which was emphatically prepared from lawful means. For strengthening the body, (having) strength for prayer, and giving justice (to his subjects), he took his dinner in proportion to the (need for) maintenance of life in the body. Then he inquired about the eating and drinking of those who were maintained by him and of those who were daily given food by him, most of whom were men of learning and excellence, seekers after knowledge, needy and poor persons, orphans, destitute and sick men; and he used to recognise most of them with an alchemy-like sight. (Then) he retired into his special sleeping room where he slept (nearly from eleven to one o’clock) for a time with an awakened mind. At two o’clock he came out from this room, performed ablution and engaged himself in reading the holy Koran. After saying the noon prayer, with sacred mutterings on his lips and a rosary in hands, he came to the ‘Asad Būrj’,* and took his seat there. There the chief ministers presented themselves before him and engaged themselves in representing to and producing before him the financial and political questions and presented before him petitions to be signed. At four o’clock he returned to the ‘Diván-i-Aam’. At this time the registrar and the private secretary presented, before his august presence, those who were recently appointed (in the state service) and those who wanted estates. His Majesty inquired carefully into the personal and ancestral qualifications, the personal ability and the merit of each of them; and then issued orders for assigning posts and fixing sums of money as ‘Jághirs.’* After sunset he retired from the ‘Diván-i-Aam’, offered evening prayers and (then) entered his special private chamber. There were present sweet-tounged historians, eloquent story-tellers, sweet-voiced musicians and numerous travellers. The females (were sitting) behind the curtain, (while) the males, in front of it. In accordance with the dictates of His Majesty’s noblest and highest nature, each of them related stories of ancient great personages and kings and spoke about the wonders and antiquities of different countries. In short, His Majesty passed, till midnight, the hours of day and night, in this manner; and (thus) did justice to life and sovereignty (i. e. spent his time thus). As (my) paternal love regarding (my) son is from the heart (i.e. true and sincere) and not from the pen (i.e. false), I was obliged to write and inform (my) dear son what was good and valuable. I have penned what I have been able to recall to mind this time. Excuse me.