THE emperor, due to his various royal preoccupations, could not pay much attention to the fluctuations in currency and depended on his officials for the same. But when the news of occasional fluctuations in rates of coins due to maladministration reached the royal ears, he formulated such a law that pleased everyone and his subjects were relieved of their difficulties.
One 26th Bahman Illahi, the emperor gave preference to one of the already-made laws over all other existing laws. He made amendments to the law of Azaduddaula to the extent that if the Ashrafi was found to be less than three kernels of rice and the Roopiya up to six kernels, both coins should be considered impure and unacceptable. This law put an end to the designs of those who were cheats. Previously, if the official of the royal mint produced coins of less weight or officials of the treasury accepted genuine coins at less value, there was no way to rectify such irregularities. Due to this new law, the entire country and its people heaved a sigh of relief and started to live a life of prosperity. Apart from this, unscrupulous individuals used to pick up kernels of less weight and weighed those coins against these. As a result, the Ashrafi that was found less by six kernels, they would call it less by nine kernels. This reduction in the weight of the coins kept increasing and the shady manipulators kept filling their pockets. The emperor ordered Yawa Ghori rice kernels to be made for weighing, which were also used for weighing rice.
LAW CONCERNING THE SERAGLIO
The emperor is extremely fond of witnessing the praiseworthy achievements of the people associated with his administration. It is the result of his this very keenness that all things run smoothly and the entire kingdom is basking the sunshine of truthfulness. Even the material objects appear to be blessed with spirituality.
The abundance of women in a seraglio, which the scholars and prudent people normally associate with worldly relationship, is for the emperor a source for displaying his sagacity and is a way of reaching the heights of spirituality from the lower levels of physical pleasures. The households are prosperous and there exists love and bonhomie among the people.
The emperor has introduced the trait of entering into bonds of marriages with the influential households of Hindustan and other countries. The love and unity created by such bonds has totally eradicated the hatred and acrimony that many have existed between people. Just like the way the emperor by his acts of sagacity elevates the functionaries of his kingdom from the depths of the earth to the heights of the skies, he bestows high ranks on the servants of his harem according to their status. Even in a state of anger, the emperor never loses his grip on the reins of righteousness, looks at everything with love, weighs the rumours on the scales of truth and does not allow any sort of prejudice come near him.
The mighty emperor has constructed a huge compound within which comfortable abodes have been built and despite five thousand women living in them, each one has been given a separate accommodation. The emperor having separated these women from his seraglio in different strata, each has been provided with fine services. He regularly keeps looking after them. Numerous virtuous women have been appointed as inspectors to keep a watch on these women. From among these inspectors, one chaste and abstemious woman has been entrusted with the job of a narrator. In short, like the royal offices and other departments of the state, an administrative thoroughness has been established in the seraglio as well. The inmates are well-paid. Apart from the rewards and occasional gifts the emperor often gives them, the women of higher stratum receive a monthly salary ranging from Rs27 to Rs602. Some employees get Rs20 to Rs51 and from Rs10 to Rs40 a month.
At the entrance to the private quarters, an able and clever scribe has been posted who looks after all the expenses and keeps a proper account of cash and inventories. In case a woman of the harem requires anything, she within the limits of her monthly salary, requests an accountant of the seraglio to oblige her. He sends its reminder to the treasurer who after scrutinizing it puts it before the chief treasurer. He subsequently pays the amount.
For making such payments no royal permission is required. The head of the revenue department prepares an annual list of these payments and makes out gross receipts for various periods on which are affixed the seals of the ministers. After this procedure that particular royal seal, which is earmarked for this department, is affixed. Subsequently, the amount of the receipts is handed over to the chief accountant through the chief treasurer. In accordance with the instructions of the scribe he passes it on to the subordinate cashiers in order to distribute it among the inmates of the seraglio. All such amounts that are paid out from time to time are deducted from their monthly salaries.
In the inner part of the harem some chaste women are posted as guards. Even from among these the most presentable, glib-tongued and dependable ones are kept all the time in the sanctum for its protection. Outside the enclosure of the seraglio, eunuchs are posted as guards and at a reasonable distance a contingent of dependable and faithful Rajputs keep vigil. Besides these Rajputs, energetic and honest guards are posted at the gates of the enclosure. Also, many noblemen and Indian soldiers called Ahdis and other army men keep watch as per their status.
If the wives of the noble men or other ladies wish to have the honour of presenting themselves in the royal harem, they first of all present their requests to the officials posted outside the harem. On receiving a reply, the officials send the requests to the ladies inside. Only after this procedure the dependable and chaste women are given permission to enter the harem. Some chosen and dependable ladies are given the privilege of staying in the harem for a period of one month.
In spite of the surveillance of these able guards the emperor does not forget to keep an eye on the performance of this department due to which its efficiency is most praiseworthy.
