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Śramaṇa, Vol 58, No. 2-3/April-September 2007
and received the royal-permission to return to their native country. The earliest of several imperial farmans issued by Jahangir in favor of Jains, some of which are located in the Jaina-bhaṇḍāra at Cambay, was probably granted to these Jaina-leaders on their departure from Agra for Gujarat in 1605-06. The farman was addressed to the officials, particularly, of the 'Sarakar' of Sorath (Saurashtra) to the effect that "Be it known to those issuing orders relating to important affairs, those executing those orders, their clerks and the present and future Mutasaddis................and others and particularly those of Sorath Sarkar, having received and further expecting royal favours, that whereas Bhānucandra Yati and Siddhicandra Yati - the holder of the title 'Khush-faham', made a humble presentation to us that the Jaziya, the toll, the slaughter of animals, viz. cows, she buffaloes, he buffaloes and bullocks, killing of other animals on specified days of each month, confiscation of the property of the dead, taking people as captives, and the poll-tax on the pilgrims visiting mount Śatruñjaya exacted in Sorath Sarakar - all these had been abolished and prohibited by Ala Hazarat (The Emperor Akbar). And as we are perfectly kind to all people, we have also prohibited (slaughter of animals) as per belowwritten list after adding to it one more month at the end where of our birth took place-they (the officers) should carry out this our best order and should not deviate from or go against it. And Vijayasena Sūri and Vijayadeva Suri who are there (in Gujarat) should be properly looked after, and whatever thing they may represent to be done, should be done perfectly, so that they may remain occupied in praying for the permanency of the victorious kingdom with happy mind." The farman is with the name of Abul Muzaffar Sultan Shah Salim Gazi which show that it was issued by the Emperor before he assumed his formal Imperial title of 'Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir Bahadur Gazi'. The date of the farman is not legible, but it may be placed in the very first year of Jahangir's reign.
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Bhanucandra and Siddhicandra, receiving the usual ceremonies at the various Jaina centers on the journey, arrived at Ahmedabad;
