The Dabistan

28S

From the original compositions of this sect of holi-
ness, we have the following quatrain:

'' The being who descended from his high sphere of sanctity,
4i From the absolute world, inclined towards the nether bondage,
" He will, as long as the Lord forms mankind.
44 Remain fitted to the four elements."

Besides, the lord Mahi eddin Muhammed, the
master of rank and dignity, the lord of the universe
Darashuko,1 having, according to his desire, has-

1 Darashiko was the eldest son and heir presumptive of Skah-Jehan,
of Delhi, during whose life he defended him against the rebellion of his
younger brother, Aureng-zeb, who, leagued with two other brothers,
attempted to dethrone his father. Dara, having been defeated in a
battle on the river Jambul, retired towards Lahore, whilst the victorious
Aureng-zeb proceeded to Agra, and by stratagem rendered himself master
of his father's person, and imprisoned his brother Murad bakhsh, whom
he had, till then, treated as emperor, in the castle of Agra, where the cap-
tive prince died. Proclaimed emperor under the title of Aalemgir, the
new sovereign now turned his arms against Dara, who was in possession
of the Panj-dbj Multan> and Kabul, and defended the line of the Setlej.
Here beaten, Dara retired beyond the Indus, and took refuge in the moun-
tains of Bikker. Aalumgir was called to Allahabad, to encounter his
brother Suja, who had moved from Bengal to assert his right to the
throne. Aalemgir had scarce repulsed him, when he was obliged to
haste towards Guzerat: there was Dara, who had recrossed the Indus
and taken an advantageous position in that maritime province. He
might have been victorious in a battle, but he succumbed to the artful-
ness of Aalemgir. Deserted by his army, abandoned by his allies, he was
delivered up by traitors to his cruel brother, subjected to an ignomini-
ous exposition in the streets of Delhi, and executed. Suja, Alemgir's
last brother was obliged to fly to Arrakan, where he died, seven years
before his father, Shah Jehan, who died his son's prisoner, in 1665. 1 have
related the principal events of one single year, 1658 of our era. This
is a date in the life of the author of the Dabistan, then in his fortieth