The Emperor learnt from the news-letter of the army of Firuz Jang Khan that he had, while holding audience, executed a man named Muhammad Aqil on the charge of highway robbery. The Emperor wrote, “The prime-minister [Asad Khan] should write thus to the foolish Khan Firuz Jang,—you have undertaken an execution, i.e., the destruction of what God had built, without proof according to Canon Law. Alas for the day when the heirs of [the slain] will arrive and refuse to accept the price of his blood! How can this humble being [Aurangzib] help giving the order of retaliation [on you], as mercy in the exercise of penal laws (hadud) is contrary to the authority of the Word of God [i. e., the Quran]? And kindness should not overpower you in [matters concerning] the religion of God.”

Text.–Ir. MS. 3b, MS. N. 9a.

Notes.–Ghazi-ud-din Khan Firuz Jang Bahadur, the father of the first Nizam of Haidarabad, was one of the two highest generals of Aurangzib, the other being his rival Nusrat Jang. (Died 1710 A. D.) The price of blood is the money-compensation for which the heirs of a murdered man may, under the Islamic law, give up their demand for the execution of the murderer. For this term and hadud, see my Mughal Administration, 2nd ed. ch. 6.