Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/365

SIR THOMAS ROE BIDDEN TO COURT 307 isf action to the king." This was on December 31, 1615, and on the following day, New Year's, Sir Thomas opens his diary as follows: ' January 1-4, 1616. I began to recouer and sitt vp. January 5. Master Edwardes departed for Suratt. January 6 - 9. I prepared to see the king. January 10. I went to Court at 4 in the euening to the Durbar, which is the Place wher the Mogull sitts out daylie, to entertayne strangers, to receiue petitions and presents, to giue Commandes, to see, and to bee seene. To digresse a little from my reception, and declare the Customes of the Court, will enlighten the future discourse. The king hath no man but Eunuchs that Comes within the lodgings or retyring roomes of his house: His weomen watch within, and guard him with manly weapons. They doe Justice on vpon an- other for offences. He comes every Morning to a wyn- dow called the Jarruco looking into a playne before his gate, and showes him selfe to the Common People. At noone hee returns thither and sitts some howers to see the fight of Eliphants and willd beasts; vnder him within a rayle attend the men of rancke; from whence hee retiers to sleepe among his woemen. At afternoone he returnes to the Durbar before mentioned. At 8 after supper he Comes downe to the Gazelcan, a faire Court, wher in the middest is a Throune erected of free stone wherein he sitts, but some tymes below in a Chayre; to which are none admitted but of great qualetye, and few of these without leaue; wher he dis- courses of all matters with much Affabilitye. Ther