Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/27

Rh shame to stop his lieutenant's atrocities, Maham Anaga had these innocent women killed, lest they should tell tales to the emperor. Akbar was well quit of both mother and son.

GOLD COINS OF AKBAR AT AGRA, A.H. 981, (A.D. 1573).

Although the young emperor was still immature, and it was many years before he entered upon that stage of philosophic enlightenment which has made his name a household word for wisdom and toleration, he had already shown something of his character and self-reliance. His refusal to strike the dying Himu, his firm and yet not unkind treatment of his revolted regent, his honest indignation at Adham's iniquities, show that Akbar possessed the right spirit. Physically he is described by his son Jahangir, in later life, as of middle stature, long in the arms and sturdy of figure, rather sallow in face, with black eyes and eyebrows and an open forehead. A wart on the left side of his nose was regarded as not only auspicious but exceedingly beautiful. His voice was ringing, and, in spite of scant culture, his conversation had a charm of its own. "His manners and habits," adds his son, "were quite different from those of other people, and his countenance was full of godlike dignity." His mode of life was regular and abstemious. His time was care-