Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/355

A BAZAAR AND A CASTLE 297 strange that in India, in the countries of the Moghol, the Persian tongue is us'd more perhaps than the In- dian itself, since the Mogholian princes being originally Tartars, and of Samarkand, where the Persian is the natural tongue of the country, have therefore been willing to retain their native speech in India; in brief, the Persian is the language of the Moghol 's court, most spoken and us'd in all publick writings. Near this castle gate, in a void place of the street are two pulpits handsomely built of stone, somewhat rais'd from the ground, wherein 'tis the Custome to read the king's commandments publickly, when they are to be proclaim 'd. Thence turning to the right hand, and passing another great gate, and through a fair street we came to the royal palace; for Ahmedabad is one of the four cities, 1 amongst all the others of his domin- ions, where the Grand Moghol by particular privilege hath a palace and a court; and accordingly he comes sometimes to reside there. This palace hath a great square court, surrounded with white and well polish 'd walls. In the midst stands a high post to shoot at with arrows, as is also usual in the piazzas of Persia. On the left side of the court as you go in are the king's lodgings, a small and low building. What 'tis within side I know not, for I enter 'd not into it; but without 'tis as follows. Under the king's windows is a square place inclos'd with a rail of colour 'd wood, and the pavement somewhat rais'd; within which, if the king is there, are wont to stand certain officers of the militia, 1 The other three cities being Agra, Mandu, and Lahore.