Chapter 21

[41] _Shah 'Alam_ the emperor of _Dilli_, was then towards _Patna_ a tool in the hands of _Shuja'u-d-Daula, the Nawwab_ of _Lakhnau, and Kasim 'Ala Khan, the Nawwab_ of _Murshid-abad._

[42] Alluding to the confusion which reigned in _Upper Hindustan_ after the assassination of _'Alamgir_ the Second, and the flight of _Shah 'Alam. Upper Hindustan_ was then in a sad plight, ravaged alternately by the _Abdalis_, the _Marhattas_, and the _Jats_--the king a pageant, the nobles rebellious, the subjects plundered and oppressed, and the country open to every invader--though this was near 100 years ago, and although they had some government, justice, and security from 1782 to 1802, yet the country had not even then recovered from the severe shock.

[43] The word is used in the singular, both by _Mir Amman_ and the original author, _Amir Khusru_ according to a well-known rule in Persian syntax, viz., "a substantive accompanied by a numerical adjective dispenses with the plural termination," as "_haft roz_," "seven days," not "_haft rozha_. The Persian term _darwesh_, in a general sense, denotes a person who has adopted what by extreme courtesy is called a religious life, closely akin to the "mendicant friar" of the middle ages; i.e., a lazy, dirty, hypocrital vagabond, living upon the credulous public. The corresponding term in Arabic is _Fakir_; and in _Hindi_, _Jogi_.

[44] The word _Rum_ means that empire of which Constantinople is the capital, and sometimes called, in modern times, Romania. It was originally applied to the Eastern Roman Empire, and, at present, it denotes Turkey in Europe and Asia.

[45] _Naushirwan_ was a king of Persia, who died in A.D. 578. He is celebrated in oriental history for his wisdom and justice. During his reign _Muhammad_ the prophet was born. The Persian writings are full of anecdotes of _Naushirwan's_ justice and wisdom.

[46] _Hatim_ or rather _Hatim Tai_, is the name of an Arab chief, who is celebrated for his generosity and his mad adventures, in an elegant Persian work called _Kissae Hatim Tai_. This work was translated into English for the Asiatic Translation Fund in 1830.

[47] Called also _Kustuntuniya_ by the Persians, and _Istambol_, also _Islambol_, by the Turks.

[48] The _shabi barat_ is a Mahometan festival which happens on the full moon of the month of _Sha'ban_; illuminations are made at night, and fire-works displayed; prayers are said for the repose of the dead, and offerings of sweetmeats and viands made to their manes. A luminous night-scene is therefore compared to the _shabi barat_.

[49] I warrant you there were no "tickets of leave" granted in those blessed days.

[50] This means an impertinent, or rather a _chaffing_, question, like our own classic interrogation, "Does your mother know you'ra out?"

[51] It is incumbent on every good _Musalman_ to pray five times in the twenty-four hours. The stated periods are rather capriciously settled:--1st. The morning prayer is to be repeated between daybreak and sunrise; 2nd. The prayer of noon, when the sun shows a sensible declination from the meridian; 3rd. The afternoon prayer, when the sun is near the horizon that the shadow of a perpendicular object is twice it's length; 4th. The evening prayer, between sunset and close of twilight; 5th. The prayer of night, any time during the darkness. The inhabitants of Iceland and Greenland would find themselves sadly embarrassed in complying with these pious precepts, bequeathed by _Muhammad_ to the _true believers_, as they call themselves.

[52] The Asiatics consider _male_ children as the light or splendour of their house. In the original there is a play upon the word "_diya_" which, as a substantive signifies "a lamp;" and as a verbal participle it denotes "given," or "bestowed."

[53] The literal meaning is--"There is no one as the bearer of his name, and the giver of water."

[54] The Mirror Saloon, called by the Persians, and from them by the _Hindustanis, Shish Mahall_, is a grand apartment in all oriental palaces, the walls of which are generally inlaid with small mirrors, and their borders richly gilded. Those of _Dilli_ and _Agra_ are the finest in _Hinduistan_.

[55] "The messenger was the white hair in his majesty's whiskers.

[56] Called in the original, _Pain Bagh_. Most royal Asiatic gardens have a _Pain Bagh_ or lower terrace adorned with flowers, to which princes descend when they wish to relax with their courtiers.

[57] The _Diwani' Amm_, or Public Hall of Audience in eastern palaces, is a grand saloon where Asiatic princes hold a more promiscuous court than in the _Diwani Khass_, or the Private Hall of Audience.

[58] The _Musalla_, is generally in Persia a small carpet, but frequently a fine mat in _Hindustan_, which is spread for the performance of prayer. The devotee kneels and prostrates himself upon it in his act of devotion. It is superfluous to remark that the _Muhammadans_ pray with their face turned towards _Mecca_, as far as they can guess its direction. Jerusalem was the original point, but the prophet, (it is said,) in a fit of anger, changed it to _Mecca_.

[59] _Khiradmand_ means wise; as a man's name it corresponds to our "Mr. Wiseman," or as the French have it "Monsieur le Sage." It does not necessarily follow, however, that every Mr. Wiseman is a sage.

[60] The _Diwani Khass_, or Private Hall of Audience, is a grand saloon, where only the king's privy councillors or select officers of state are admitted to an audience.

[61] As Asiatic princes in general pass the most part of their time in the _haram_ or in seclusion, eunuchs are the usual carriers of messages, &c.

[62] The posture of respect, as to stand motionless like a statue, the eyes fixed on the ground, and the arms crossed over the waist.

[63] Literally, "rings or circles had formed round his eyes, and his visage had turned yellow." The term "yellow" is used among the dark-complexioned people of the East in the same sense as our word "pale," or the Latin "pallidus," to indicate fear, grief, &c.

[64] The Asiatics reckon the animal species at 18,000; a number which even the fertile genius of Buffon has not attained. Yet the probability is, that the orientals arc nearer the true mark; and the wonder is, how they acquired such correct ideas on the subject.

[65] There is a well-known Eastern saying, that, "On the part of a king, one hour's administration of justice will be of more avail to him on the day of judgment than twenty years of prayer."

[66] Literally, "_Fakirs_ and _Jogis_;" either term denotes "hermit" the former being applied to a _Musalman_, the latter to a _Hindu_.

[67] In India, the day was formerly divided into four equal portions, called _pahars_ or watches, of which the second terminated at noon; hence, _do-pahar-din_, mid-day. In like manner was the night divided; hence, _do-pahar-rat_, midnight. The first _pahar_ of the day began at sunrise, and of the night at sunset; and since the time from sunrise to noon made exactly two _pahars_, it follows that in the north of India the _pahar_ must have varied from three and a-half hours about the summer solstice, to two and a-half in winter, the _pahars_ of the night varying inversely. A shallow commentator has said that "the _pahar_ or watch is three hours, and that the day commences at six a.m.," which is altogether incorrect.

[68] The _Naubat-khana_, or the royal orchestra, is, in general, a large room over the outer gate of the palace for the martial music.

[69] _Nazars_, presents made to kings, governors, and masters, &c., on joyful occasions, and on public festivals, generally in silver and gold.

[70] Literally, "when two _pahars_ had elapsed."--V. note on _pahar_, supra.

[71] "On them," i.e., for the souls of the dead.

[72] A celebrated _Hindu_ poet of Upper _Hindustan_; his poetry is of a sombre hue, but natural and sympathetic; the simile here is, that no creature has yet survived the pressure of the heavens and the earth; the heavens, being in motion, representing the upper millstone, and the earth (supposed to be at rest), the lower millstone.

[73] A figurative expression, denoting, "I may yet have a son and heir."

[74] _Fakirs_ are holy mendicants, who devote themselves to the expected joys of the next world, and abstract themselves from those of this silly transitory scene; they are generally fanatics and enthusiasts--sometimes mad, and often hypocrites. They are much venerated by the superstitious Asiatics, and are allowed uncommon privileges, which they naturally often abuse.

[75] The _kafni_ is a kind of short shirt without sleeves, of the colour of brick dust, which _Fakirs_ wear.

[76] Literally, "paintings on a wall."

[77] The _fanus_ is a large glass shade open at the top, placed over a lamp or candle as a protection from wind, or bats, &c., when the windows are all open, as is generally the case in hot weather.

[78] The _Dev_ is a malignant spirit, one of the class called _jinn_ by the Arabs, vide Lane's "Arabian Nights," vol. i. p. 30. The _jinn_ or genii, however, occasionally behave very handsomely towards the human race, more especially towards those of the _Muhammadan_ faith.

[79] The _Ghul_ is a foul and intensely wicked spirit, of an order inferior to the _jinn_. It is said to appear in the form of any living animal it chooses, as well as in any other monstrous and terrific shape. It haunts desert places, especially burying grounds, and is said to feed on dead human bodies.

[80] This is a general exclamation when Asiatics sneeze, and with them, as with the ancients, it is an ominous sign.

[81] _Kalandars_ are a more fanatic set of _Fakirs_. Their vow is to desert wife, children, and all worldly connexions and human sympathies, and to wander about with shaven heads.

[82] The introduction of the _hukka_ is an improvement of _Mir Amman's_; as that luxury was unknown in Europe and Asia at the time of _Amir Khusru_.

[83] The term _Azad_, "free, or independent," is applied to a class of Darweshes who shave the beard, eyelashes and eyebrows. They vow chastity and a holy life, but consider themselves exempt from all ceremonial observances of the _Muhammadan_ religion.

[84] Literally, "is an immense mountain."

[85] The phrase _do zanu ho baithna_ denotes a mode of sitting peculiar, more especially, to the Persians. It consists in kneeling down and sitting back on one's heels, a posture the very reverse of _easy_, at least, so it appears to us good Christians, accustomed to the use of chairs &c.

[86] Arabia Felix, the south-west province of the peninsula.

[87] _Maliku-t-Tujjar_ means the chief of merchants; it is a Persian or Arab title. The first title the East India Company received from the court of _Dilli_ was _'Umdatu-t-Tujjar_, or the noble merchants. _Haji Khalil_, the ambassador from Persia to the Bengal government, who was killed at Bombay, was _Maliku-t-Tujjar_; and after him _Muhammad Nabi Khan_, who likewise was ambassador from the Persian court, and came to Bengal; he has since experienced the sad uncertainty of Asiatic despotism; being despoiled of his property, blinded, and turned into the streets of _Shiraz_ to beg.

[88] The peculiar dress worn by _fakirs_. V. "_Qanooni Islam"_

[89] The _seli_, or _saili_, is a necklace of thread worn as a badge of distinction by a certain class of _fakirs_.

[90] The fortieth day is an important period in _Muhammadan_ rites; it is the great day of rejoicing after birth, and of mourning after death. To dignify this number still more, sick and wounded persons are supposed, by oriental novelists, to recover and perform the ablution of cure on the fortieth day. The number "forty" figures much in the Sacred Scriptures, for example, "The flood was forty days upon the earth." The Israelites forty years in the wilderness, &c., &c.

[91] The _Fatiha_ is the opening chapter of the _Kur,an_, which, being much read and repeated, denotes a short prayer or benediction in general.

[92] This is the general mode of investiture in _Hindustan_ to offices, places, &c.; to which a _khil'at_, or honorary dress, is added.

[93] That part of a dwelling where male company are received.

[94] _Farrashes_ are servants whose duty it is to spread carpets, sweep them and the walls; place the _masnads_, and hang up the _pardas_ and _chicks_, pitch tents, &c.

[95] _Pardas_ are quilted curtains, which hang before doors, &c.

[96] _Chicks_ are curtains, or hanging screens, made of fine slips of _bamboos_, and painted and hung up before doors and windows, to prevent the persons inside from being seen, and to keep out insects; but they do not exclude the air, or the light from without. If there is no light in a room, a person may sit close to the _chick_, and not be seen by one who is without.--However, no description can convey an adequate idea of _pardas_ and _chicks_ to the mere European.

[97] I hope the reader will pardon me for the use of this old-fashioned Scottish expression which conveys the exact meaning of the original, viz., "_muft par khane-pine-wale"_, i.e, "gentlemen who eat and drink at another's cost." The English terms, "parasites," or "diners out," do not fully express the meaning, though very near it.

[98] Literally, "quaff the wine of the _Ketaki_, and pluck the flower of the rose." The _Ketaki_, a highly odoriferous flower, was used in giving fragrance to the wine.

[99] A Persian proverb, like our own "Lightly come, lightly go."

[100] A personage famed for his wealth, like the Croesus of the Greeks.

[101] The reader will observe, in the original, that the terms _rah-bat_, a "highway," and _bhent-mulakat_, "a meeting," consist each of two nouns denoting precisely the same thing, only one of them is of _Musalman_ usage, and the other _Hindu_. Such expressions are very common in the language.

[102] Literally, "black _takas_," or copper coins, in opposition to "white" or silver; an expression similar to what we, in the vernacular call "browns."

[103] _Sharbat_ is a well-known oriental beverage, made in general with vegetable acids, sugar and water; sometimes of sugar and rose water only; to which ingredients some good _Musalmans_, on the sly, add a _leettle_ rum or brandy.

[104] _Pulao_, (properly "_pilav_," as pronounced by the Persians and Turks,) is a common dish in the East. It consists of boiled rice well dried and mixed with eggs, cloves and other spices, heaped up on a plate, and inside of this savoury heap is buried a well-roasted fowl, or pieces of tender meat, such as mutton, &c.; in short, any good meat that may be procurable.

[105] _Kabab_ is meat roasted or fried with spices; sometimes in small pieces, sometimes minced, sometimes on skewers, but never in joints as with us, though they make _kababs_ of a whole lamb or kid.

[106] The _tora_ is a bag containing a thousand pieces (gold or silver). It is used in a collective sense, like the term _kisa_, or "purse," among the Persians and Turks; only the _kisa_ consists of five hundred dollars, a sum very nearly equal to 1000 _rupis_.

[107] The word in the original is _Damishk_, an Indian corruption of the Arabic _Dimashk_, which latter mode of pronunciation I have followed in my printed edition.

[108] The grand street where all the large shops are. In oriental towns of considerable size, there is generally a distinct _bazar_ for each species of goods, such as "the cloth _bazar_," "the jewellery _bazar_," &c.

[109] The merchant would have rather a puzzling voyage of it, if he went by sea from Yaman to Damascus.

[110] The sacred rupee, or piece of silver, is a coin which is dedicated to the _Imam Zamin,_ or "the guardian _Imam_, (a personage nearly allied to the guardian saint of a good Catholic), to avert evils from those who wear them tied on the arm, or suspended from the neck.

[111] To mark the forehead with _tika_, or curdled milk, is a superstitious ceremony in _Hindustan_, as a propitious omen, on beginning a voyage or journey. It is probable that the _Musulmans_ of India borrowed this ceremony, among several others, from the _Hindus_.

[112] Literally, "when half the night was on this side, and half on that."

[113] The _dopatta_ is a large piece of cloth worn by women, which covers the head and goes round the body; the act of drawing her _dopatta_ over her face is mentioned as a proof of her modesty. Men likewise wear the _dopatta_ flung over the shoulders, or wrapped round the waist. It is often of gauze and muslin.

[114] This is _Mir Amman's_ plain expression. Ferdinand Smith's translation savours somewhat of the Hibernian, viz., "She still loves him who has murdered her."

[115] "The _ghari_ is the 60th part of 24 hours, or 24 of our minutes. It may be observed that the _ghari_ was a fixed quantity, not subject to variation, like the _pahar_, which last, in the north of India, was made to vary from seven to nine _gharies_, according to the season of the year, or as it referred to the day or night in the same season. Since the introduction of European watches and clocks, the term _ghari_ is applied to the Christian hour of sixty minutes.

[116] Literally, "became such a mountain."

[117] _'Isa_ is the name of Jesus among the _Muhammadans_; who all believe, (from the New Testament, transfused into the _Kuran_,) in the resurrection of Lazarus, and the numerous cures wrought by our Saviour. This, perhaps, induced _Mir Amman_ to call the wonder-performing barber and surgeon _'Isa_.

[118] The Arabic expression is _salam 'alaikum_ or _'alaika_, i.e. "Peace be on you" or "on thee." This mode of greeting is used only towards _Musulmans_; and when it has passed between them, it is understood to be a pledge of friendly confidence and sincere good will.

[119] The _nim_ is a large and common tree in India, the leaves of which are very bitter, and used as a decoction to reduce contusions and inflammations; also to cleanse wounds.

[120] The spirit drawn from the leaves of an aromatic tree which grows in _Kashmir_, called _Bed-Mushk_; it is a tonic and exhilarating.

[121] A humble deportment when addressing superiors in India; and through complaisance, used sometimes to equals.

[122] An act of ceremony ever observed amongst the well-bred in India, when a visitor takes leave. _'Itr_ is the essence of any flower, more especially of the rose (by us corruptly called "otto of roses"); and _betel_ is a preparation of the aromatic leaf so generally used in the East, more especially in India. The moment they are introduced, it is a hint to the visitor to take leave.

[123] The _khil'at_ is a dress of honour, in general a rich one, presented by superiors to inferiors. In the zenith of the _Mughal_ empire these _khil'ats_ were expensive honours, as the receivers were obliged to make rich presents to the emperor for the _khil'ats_ they received. The _khil'at_ is not necessarily restricted to a rich dress; sometimes, a fine horse, or splendid armour, &c., may form an item of it.

[124] The word _pari_, "a fairy," is frequently used figuratively to denote a beautiful woman.

[125] _Masnad_ means literally a sort of counterpane, made of silk, cloth, or brocade, which is spread on the carpet, where the master of the house sits and receives company; it has a large pillow behind to lean the back against, and generally two small ones on each side. It also, metaphorically, implies the seat on which kings, _nawwabs_, and governors sit the day they are invested with their royalty, &c. So that to say that _Shah-'Alam_ sat on the _masnad_ on such a day, means that he was on that day invested with royalty.

[126] Asiatics divide the world into seven climes; so to reign over the seven climes means, metaphorically, to reign over the whole world; king of the seven climes was one of the titles of the Mogul emperors.

[127] Literally, "it was not in the power of eyesight to dwell upon her splendour."

[128] A Persian proverb, somewhat illustrative of a story told of a West India "nigger," whom his master used to over-flog. "Ah, massa," said Sambo, "poor man dare not vex--him damned sorry though."

[129] The _Kalam-dan,_ literally "the pen-holder," means here the small tray containing pens, inkstand, a knife, &c.

[130] _Tirpauliya_ means three arched gates; there are many such which divide grand streets in Indian cities, and may be compared to our Temple Bar in London, only much more splendid.

[131] Ethiopian, or Abyssinian slaves, are commonly called _Sidis_. They are held in great repute for honesty and attachment.

[132] The _chauk_ is in general a large square in Asiatic cities, where are situated the richest shops; it is sometimes a large wide street.

[133] In the original there is a play on the word _'alam_ which signifies "beauty," "the world," also "a multitude of people," or what the French call "tout le monde."

[134] Literally, "the observance of the [form of greeting] "_sahib salamat_," or "_salam 'alaika_," by which he had been at first accosted by his customer.--Vide note on this subject, page 41.

[135] The verb _uthna_ like the Persian _bar-khastan_ is used idiomatically in the sense of "to go away," to "vanish."

[136] Literally, "your command is on my head and eyes," a phrase imitated from the Persian "_ba sar o chashm_."

[137] The phrase "_rah dekhna_," literally to look at the road," (by which a person is expected to come;) hence, very naturally and idiomatically it signifies "to be anxiously waiting for one." Again, _rah dikhana_ is the causal form, signifying "to make one wait," of "keep one waiting."

[138] The word _janwar_ means "an animal," in general; but it is frequently used in the more restricted sense of "a bird".

[139] The "evil eye" is a supersitious motion entertained by the ignorant in _all_ countries even until this day. The Asiatics suppose that uncommon qualities of beauty, fortune or health, raise an ominous admiration admiration, which injures the possessor. To tell parents that their children are stout and healthy, is a _mal-à-propos_ compliment; also to congratulate women on their healthy appearance is often unwelcome; the same ridiculous and supersitious accompany all admiration of beauty, fortune, &c. For this reason the visitor, in this case, do not compliment his host on the beauty of his person or the splendour of his dress; but instead make use of the above exclamation.

[140] A celebrated musical performer in upper _Hindustan_, and considered as the first in his art. He lived in the reign of _Akbar_, somo 300 years ago.

[141] A celebrated singer in upper _Hindustan_, who lived about 600 years ago. _Tan-Sen_ and _Ba,ora_ are still held in the highest reverence by singers and musical performers. In the original, there is a play on the words to _tan_ and _ba,ora_ which scarcely needs to be pointed out.

[142] The original is, "_jis Ki itni ta'rif aur ishtiyak zahir kiya_," where the word _kiya_ agrees with _ishtiyak_ only, being the noun nearest. A shallow critic would be apt to say that this is bad grammar.

[143] "_La haul parhna_," to repeat or recite the "_La haul_," or more fully, "_La haul wa la kuwwat illa b-Illahi;_" meaning, "there is no power nor strength but in God." An exclamation used by _Musalmans_ in cases of sudden surprise, misfortune, &c.

[144] The insignia of state among the grandees of India.

[145] The _gulab-pash_ is a silver or gold utensil, like a French bottle, to sprinkle rose water on the company; the _'itr-dan_ one to hold essences, and _pik-duns_ are of brass or silver to spit in, called by the French _crachoirs_.

[146] The _abdar-khana_ a room appropriated to the cooling of water in ice or saltpetre, by the servant called the _abdar_.

[147] Small leaden mugs with covers for the congelation of ice.

[148] To cool the water which they contain; they are made of pewter.