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BHANUCANDRA CARITRA
intelligence reached him that Raja Män Singh had defeated the Afghan Chiefs in Orissä and had annexed that country (P. 247. "Akbar.")
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It was during this second visit to Kasmira that the Emperor issued a firmăn abolishing tax on pilgrims to Mount Satrunjaya. Details about this will be given in the following 3rd Chapter.]
In the Third Chapter are given details of the way in which Bhanucandra got the Tax levied from the pilgrims to Mount Siddha Satrunjaya abolished by the Emperor; so that all doubts about it may be dispelled for ever.
Once upon a time the Emperor was seated on the royal chair in his Court held in the morning. Numerous kings, with folded hands raised upto their heads as a mark of respect were in attendance upon him. A white umbrella studded with pearls stood open above his head; while shining camaras-chowrie fans were wafted on all sides. While so seated and attended with royal paraphernalia, the gate-keeper made his appearance and submitted it to the Emperor that a man, hailing from Kasmira was standing just outside the gates, eagerly awaiting the royal permission to present himself before His Majesty. Akbar granted the permission. The stranger entered the Court and bowed respectfully to the Emperor. He told the Emperor that he had come all the way from Kasmira with the single object of paying his respects to him, because he had heard his praises every where. The Emperor then asked him what kind of country Kasmira was. Thereupon the stranger described in glowing terms the beauties of Kasmira.-its snow-clad mountains, saffron plants, multitudes of full-blown lotuses, and enchantingly charming regions like the source of the Brahma-putra. He gave a wonderful word-picture of Kasmira, which immensely. impressed the mind of the Emperor and made him keenly desirous of visiting the country." Abul-Fazl supported the royal desire. On an auspicious day, previously settled for the royal journey, the mighty Emperor started for Kasmira, taking the Northern route, with a large retinue of feudatory princes, elephants, horses and chariots, and with flags flying from numerous standards. Pressed by the Emperor, Bhanucandra also accompanied him, staying in a nicely pitched tent with Abul-Fazl as his companion, at the halting-places on the way. When the Emperor and his army reached Bhambhar, he ordered a halt there for a few days, seeing that the soldiers needed rest,
At this time, the Kharataras, intent upon having exclusive possession of the great place of pilgrimage, Mount Vimala (Satrunjaya) were busy devising secret ways of
41 Kās'mir:-"The country is enchanting and might be fittingly called a garden of perpetual spring surrounding a citadel terraced to the skies, and deserves appropriately to be either the delight of the worldling or the retired abode of the recluse. Its streams are sweet to taste, its waterfalls provide music to the ear, and its climate is invigorating. The rain and snow-fall are similar to that of Turkastan and Persia, and its periodical rains occur at the same season as in Hindustan. The lands are artificially watered or dependent on rain for irrigation. The dowers are enchanting and fill the heart with delight. Violets and red roses and wild narcissus flowers cover the plains. To enumerate the flora would be impossible." P. 348-49, Aini Akbari Vol. II.
