ran and Turan to settle at Agra and Fatehpur-Sikri. 'Melons and
grapes have become very plentiful and excellent; and water-melons,
peaches, almonds, pistachios, pomegranates, etc., are everywhere to
be found.' He adds that fruits were largely imported from Kabul,
Kandahar, Kashmir, Badakshan, and even from Samarkand. The Ain
contains a long list of these, which the reader who knows India will
read with pleasure. It is interesting to find that, even in those
days, the first place among the sweet fruits of Hindustan is given to
the mango. This fruit is described as 'unrivalled in colour, smell,
and taste; and some of the gourmands {181} of Turan and Iran place it
above musk-melon and grapes.'

One word as to the daily habits of Akbar and to the manner in which
he was accustomed to pass an ordinary day at Agra or Fatehpur-Sikri.
It would seem that he kept late hours, spending the evenings far into
the early morning in conversation and discussion. In such matters he
occupied himself, according to the record of Abulfazl, till 'about a
watch before daybreak,' when musicians were introduced. At daybreak
the sovereign retired into his private apartments, made his
ablutions, dressed, and about an hour later presented himself to
receive the homage of his courtiers. Then began the business of the
day. Probably this was concluded often long before midday, when the
one meal which Akbar allowed himself was usually served, though there
was no fixed hour for it. The afternoon was the recognised hour of
sleep. Sometimes Akbar devoted the early morning to field sports, and
sometimes the late evenings to the game of chaugan, or polo, for
which purpose balls made of the palas wood were used. The hottest
hours of the day were the hours of rest and recuperation.

Akbar had not reigned long ere he recognised the importance of
attaching to his throne the Hindu princes of Rajputana by a tie
closer even than that of mere friendship. It is interesting to note
how he managed to overcome the inborn prejudices of the high caste
princes of Rajast'han to consent to a union which, in their hearts,
the bulk of them regarded as {182} a degradation. It would seem that
his father, Humayun, had to a certain extent prepared the way. In his
erudite and fascinating work,[3] Colonel Tod relates how Humayun, in
the earlier part of his reign, became the knight of the princess
Kurnavati of Chitor, and pledged himself to her service. That service
he loyally perfo