LETTER XXXIV.

Exalted son, Mandeswar, the greatest district of the province of Málvá, has been granted to you as a ‘jághir.’* In former times Sar Būland Khán,* Hasan Ali Khán,* and a great officer like Navázesh Khán-i-Rūmi, had been appointed police officers of this district. This light of my eyes (i.e., my dear son) should send there an intelligent, honest, and brave officer. One day it was said in the presence of His Majesty (Sháh Jehán) that the splendour of the house, the increase of property, and the prosperity of the ‘jághir’, districts, of Sa’ad Alláh Khán* depended upon (the management of) Abdūl Nabi, his secretary, and that the Khán himself spent his time zealously in the (discharge of) state affairs. Once, His Majesty, by way of suggestion, told him, “I have heard that you possess the philosopher’s stone. (I hope) you will present it to me.” He replied, “I possess one (i.e., Abdūl Nabi) in the form of a man and which has the quality of producing gold.” His Majesty thanked God and spoke sweetly, “I praise you for this quality of yours (and) give away his services to you. An intelligent, honest, God-fearing, and well-behaving man is rare. (Couplet) ‘Human beings are found everywhere in this world, but their essence (i.e., honesty) is found rarely.’”* The above-mentioned Khán bowed down to His Majesty.