62 HISTORY OF AURANGZIB. [CHAP. IV. as to saint named Syed Shah Mir, sprung from the celebrated Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, had taken to a life of retirement among the hills of Rajauri. The Rajah of the country waited on him and in course of time so adored the holy man offer him his maiden daughter. The saint accepted the virgin tribute, converted and wed- ded her, and thus became the father of a son and a daughter. Then he went on a pilgrimage to the holy land of Islam, where all trace of him was lost. The Rajah brought up his desert- ed grand-children as Hindus, keeping their parentage a secret. When Shah Jahan demanded from him a daughter of his house, the Rajah sent him this grand-daughter, who was noted for her beauty, goodness and intelligence. In the Imperial harem the girl was taught languages and culture by a set of masters, governesses, and Persian women versed in good manners, and in due time she was united to Prince Aurangzib. Such is one of the many conflicting accounts of the origin of Nawab Bai. Khafi Khan narrates it as mere hearsay, and we may reject it as the invention of courtiers eager to flatter their master.
- Khafi Khan, ii. 604.
† But there is nothing improbable in the story. In Bhimbhar, another district of Kashmir, Hindus and Mus- lims used to intermarry, and the wife, whatever might have Digitized by Microsoft Ⓡ
