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cuirass. Or take the case of the people of Kabul in the age of ignorance.
They believed that their first king, Birhmagin Turki, was born in a cavern which is today designated by the name of Baghrah and he came out of it wearing a diadem. There are other myths and fables of this ilk which have gained currency through the Will of God, so that everyone does not begin to dream of kingship and serve the king. Just as monarchs were the recipients of these exalted attributes, they
also arrogated to themselves characteristics that bespoke their high stations. They had high and magnificent audience chambers, vast fortresses, long and broad courtyards built for the future generations, and high thrones installed. All this was done, so that they might look heavenward, and cast their glances at the commonalty and the nobility among mankind. The poet, Buhtari, has alluded to this aspect in the following couplet: What thou hast been granted has been granted to the full moon, that
thou should be high and glimmer.
They had no other way to show their magnificance except to put on the diadem and long capes and extend their hands, so much so that they were designated as "the pluckers of the stars." And therefore, the people of India have designated a king of theirs by the name of Maha Bahu, that is, one having long arm. The Persians have given the appellation of riivand dast to Bah man Ardashir. Riwand is the Persian equivalent for the root of the rhubarb which has the characteristic of not coming out of the earth until and unless its root does not reach subterranean level of water, even though it may be at the top of a mountain. All these symbolise high courage, long-handedness and puissance. Besides, monarchs decked themselves with precious objects so as to
overawe the hearts of their subjects with the power of their wealth, to make people look with anxious eyes towards them and link their hopes with them. They devised strange and exquisite ways to bring about all this, so that they might expose the secrets of the nobility, and the action or the commonalty to full view, act according to the exigency of the situation, and organise the affairs of the vanquished regions immediately. For this purpose, therefore, they established the roles of messengers, boats, horses and pigeons so as to circumvent the long distances and carry their orders within short periods (to distant places). People began to be in secret and open fear of them, and avoided transgression and intransigence. There are several stories pertaining to such cruel monarchs. Pause
Persons most avid of wealth are the monarchs since by means of
wealth they are able to exercise their control. Caliph Mansur told his guard, Rabi': |
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