Farman of Hamida Banu Begum to protect a Brahmin Saint of Mathura | With Scan of Original Persian

Friends,

Today, I am sharing a Farman which was granted by the mother of Mughal Emperor Akbar to a Brahmin who lived in the suburbs of Mathura. This farman by Hamida Bano Begum was to confirm an earlier farman of Akbar given in same regard. We had interesting discussions on Mughal Farmans few days back on the blog, hence this post.


Following is her order:

 *****

Title : HE IS GREAT

Seal : 8-petals of a flower with the legend mentioning - "Hamida Banu bint-i-Ali Akbar"

Order of Hamida Banu {< note that the word "Begum" was missing from this order}

Contents:

" May it be known to the Krori and diligent officer and others of the Pargana of Mahaban in the Sarkar of the Great Seat (Capital) of the Empire, Agra, that according to the Farman of the Exalted and the just (Emperor), the cows belonging to the indisputable prayer-offerer (well-wisher) Vithalesharai Brahmin, may graze, wherever they are, and not a single individual out of the Khalis or jagir (land-holders) should molest them or prevent them (from grazing). They must permit his cows to graze (wherever they are).

The above mentioned (Vithalrai) should therefore remain easy at heart. It is incumbent (on all), that they must act according to the order and carry it out, and they should not act contrary to and against it ( should not deviate from it). Written on the 10th day of Ramzan al Mubarak, Hijri 989. "


 

***** 

I could obtain a photocopy of the Persian Farman, though it was too much tattered.
Thankfully, this document could be scanned. Here it is :

Here is another format of this farman:

About the Seal: 

Note the farman. There is a stamp which appears to be circular in shape with some petals. It is the seal of Hamida Bano Begum. If one gets to see the farman in person,the details of this seal can be noticed. It is very beautiful.

Interestingly, this is the same seal from which Hamida Bano Begum had stamped an imperial document, around 30 years back, in 1550's. The document was presented for the first time by the British Library in 2013 in an exhibition.

There is an Islamic explanation for this seal. Hamida Bano Begum being a devout Muslim lady, would have most probably chosen this seal for the following reasons:
"A flower with 8 petals is said to represent 8 attributes of Allah."

Notes:

1. The date of this farman shared above is Sunday, the 8th of October 1581.

2. Mahaban, is a small town in Mathura district of present day Uttar Pradesh state of India.

3. Similar farman of Hamida Bano Begum, was mentioned  few days back on the blog by Preeti.{Link} I too, have read of a farman of similar nature : dated September 1587.

4. A farman of this nature by Hamida Bano Begum bestowed to Vithal Rai, permitting him to graze his cows even in the jagir lands is NOT a small favor. The farman grants him the right to graze his cows anywhere without any molestation by anyone.! 

This Brahmin must have been held in high favor/regard by Hamida Bano Begum, hence such an order. She would not go out of her way to grant him this favor. This also shows that the Royal ladies were not ONLY confined to the 4 walls of the harem, but also could interact with (select) people and were aware of the developments in the kingdom. It is not surprising that a royal lady has issued this farman, unless the person under consideration has impressed her greatly. Of course, such farmans were not gifted out to everyone, but only a few people of high repute.

5. This Vithal Rai was one of the two sons of a great saint of Mathura, Vallabhacharya who had impressed Akbar by his divine views.

6. Few days back we were discussing the significance of this shape of the seal of Hamida Bano Begum. The following details were shared on the blog by Radhika. This 8-petal shape also holds a special place in Hindu mythology. It is not known whether Hamida Bano Begum was impressed by the following clause, but still sharing just for info. {Link}

"The 8-petalled lotus is very sacred to Hindus. Known as the "ashta-dala-padma" , it is typically used, at least in the south now, as the rangoli pattern on which Gods are installed for performing any major puja. No major puja or religious ritual can be completed without using this symbol of Goddess Lakshmi."

In Buddhism, this represents the eight-fold path for self-awakening.

References: 

1. Edicts from the Mughal Harem, Pg-4, Idaraha-i-Adabiyat-i-Dilli(1974)
By S.A.I Tirmizi, Deputy Director of Archives
Government of India, New Delhi

2. The copy of this farman{order} has been sourced from the President House's Library, New Delhi.



This article has been posted under the Mughals(Akbar) section of this history Blog.