who was himself probably
related to the royal family, for he was the son of the favourite
nurse of Akbar. These two great nobles began then to take measures
for the exclusion of Prince Salim, and the succession of Prince
Khusru.

To effect this purpose they had the fort of Agra, in the palace in
which Akbar was lying ill, guarded by their troops. Had Akbar died at
this moment his death must have given rise to a civil war, for Salim
would not renounce his pretensions. But, as soon as the prince
recognised the combination against him, alarmed for his personal
safety, he withdrew a short distance from Agra. Vexed at his absence
during {143} what he well knew was his last illness, Akbar, a lover
above all of legality, summoned his nobles around him, declared
Prince Salim to be his lawful successor, and expressed a hope that
Prince Khusru might be provided for by the government of Bengal.

The influence acquired by Akbar was never more apparent than at this
conjuncture. It needed but one expression of resentment against his
ungrateful and undutiful son to secure his exclusion. His expressions
in his favour, on the other hand, had the effect of inducing the most
powerful nobles to resolve to carry out his wishes, the half-hearted
and wavering to join with them. Not even the highest nobleman in the
army, the father-in-law of Prince Khusru, who had already combined
with Raja Man Singh to support Khusru, could resist the influence. He
sent privately to Prince Salim to assure him of his support. Man
Singh, the most influential of all at that particular crisis, seeing
that he was isolated, yielded to the overtures made him by Salim, and
promised also to uphold him. Secure now of the succession, Prince
Salim repaired to the palace, where he was affectionately received by
the dying Akbar. The circumstances of that interview are known only
from the report of the prince.

After the first affectionate greetings Akbar desired that all the
nobles might be summoned to the presence; 'for,' he added, 'I cannot
bear that any misunderstanding should subsist between you and those
who have for so many years shared in my toils, {144} and been the
companions of my glory.' When the nobles entered and had made their
salutations, he said a few words to them in a body; then, looking at
each of them in succession, he begged them to forgive him if he had
wronged any one of them. Prince Salim then threw himself at his feet,
weeping; but Akbar, signi