XXXII. SHAIKH ALLĀH*
BAKHSH OF GARMAKTESAR.*

Garmaktesar is a pargana town on the banks of the Ganges, in the Sarkār of Sambal. He lived for forty years in poverty and contentment, employed in imparting religious instruction to students. He was noted for his resignation, and companionship with him caused one to think of God.

In his seventieth year he journeyed to Sambal* for pleasure, 59. and an old woman, the widow of the late Shaikh Banjū of Sambal, she being devout and given to fasting, the fourth (perfect woman)* of her age, having lived for thirty-five years without a husband, never breaking her fast save with milk, privately sought to become his disciple, and asked him to shew her the way of God. He sent an answer to her to this effect, “Until thou obey the law of his holiness the best of men,* (on him and on his family be blessing and salutation from God), and enter the bonds of matrimony,* it is in vain for thee to ask concerning this path,* and to speak of it.” She at once entered her travelling litter, and waited on him, and was married to him, and shortly afterwards both of them journeyed to the next world.*

I waited on that reverend man in company with one of my friends, by name Sayyid Qāsim, who was one of the noblest of the Sayyids of Dihli, and found him pleasant in companionship and likewise in speech. When a basin and ewer were brought for us to wash our hands he said, “Begin with that Sayyid, for ‘One who is of the family of Hāshim* has a better right to precedence.’”