Page:Studies in Mughal India.djvu/10

DARSHAN.

His first work was to show himself to his subjects. In the eastern wall of Agra fort, overlooking the foreshore of the Jumna which stretches like a plain below, there was a window called the jharokha-i-darshan, from the Sanskrit word darshan meaning the sight of someone high or holy. Vast crowds of expectant people assembled on the bank every morning. The Emperor appeared at the window about 48 minutes after sunrise, and showed his face to his subjects, who at once bowed, while he returned their salute. From two to three quarters of an hour were spent here, not merely in showing himself, but also in business and pleasure. The plain being outside the fort walls, the public had free access to it, and the oppressed could submit their petitions or make their complaints to the Emperor, without having to grease the palms of door-keepers and court-underlings, or going through the tedious and costly process of a law suit. Thus the Emperor daily came in touch with the common people and could freely learn their thoughts and feelings. Often a string was let down from the window, and the petitions tied to it and pulled up by the attendants above for immediate submission to the Emperor. This wise practice was instituted by the great Akbar. Curiously enough, there was a class of Brahmans, called the Darshanis, who did not begin their day's work nor eat their breakfast until they had gazed at the auspicious face of the Emperor!