the account of the astrological belief in Hindustan of a father not seeing the face of his long-awaited son immediately after his birth. He, therefore, delayed his visit and visited Sikri to meet his wife and son after forty-one days after his birth. Akbar's ecstasy in having his heir-apparent born to Heer Kunwari was enormous and publicly proclaimed, "It is right for that piece of moon". The Empress was presented with jewellery worth one lakh gold coins immediately when Akbar met her for that first time in Sikri after the birth of sultan Salim and gave a 'Rajvanshi pat' on her head expressing his love. She was subsequently given the high honour of being titled 'Mariam-uz-Zamani' (Mary/Compassionate of the Age). The ranks of Raja Bhagwan Das and Man Singh I were raised by two thousand horses each, and they were presented with robes of honour graded next only to those bestowed upon members of the royal family. Akbar broke his own records of generosity by giving rich awards and extensive Jagirs to the elite of the court. She was purported to be the foster mother of Daniyal Mirza, as initially his care and protection were entrusted to her maternal clan. Several marriages of her eldest son Salim and her foster son, Daniyal, were held at her palace. Family advancement Mariam-uz-Zamani's family became one of the highest-ranking nobles in the Akbar's court. The Rajas of Amber especially benefited from their close association with the Mughals and acquired immense wealth and power. Her family was held in high esteem by Akbar for their unmatchable courage, devotion, and loyalty all of which greatly endeared to the Emperor. Of twenty-seven Rajputs in Abu'l-Fazl list of mansabdars, thirteen were of the Amber clan, and some of them rose to positions as high as that of imperial princes. Her father Raja Bharmal, after her marriage to Akbar, was immediately made the commander of 5000 cavalry units, the highest rank that could be held by the noble in the court. Mariam-uz-Zamani's brother Bhagwant Das in the year 1585, became commander of 5000 cavalry units and bore the proud title Amir-ul-Umra (Chief Noble). His son, Man Singh I, rose even higher to become commander of 7000 forces, the first to hold that rank in Akbar's reign, and it was only later that Akbar's foster brother Mirza Aziz Koka was raised to the same rank. Akbar referred to Raja