Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/86

 76 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [March, 1873. a lion (which statement is however contrary to the assertion that none exist on the frontiers of Khatd) which had a horn on its head :— Hemistich:—This is a new story, if it were true ! In short, on the 14th Sh&ban (Aug. 24th), they arrived in a place where they saw a number of Khatays who had come out to meet them, and who had in one day erected, in a meadow more beautiful than the garden of Erem, seats and arbours which they had furnished with couches and sofas, and with victuals, such as roasted ducks, fowls, cooked meat, and various kinds of fresh and dried fruits arrang¬ ed on dishes of China. In that place they had prepared a banquet, which even in great cities could be got up only with much trouble. After the repast had been consumed, they brought forth different species of intoxicating liquors, and gave to every one what he wanted of sheep, flour, and barley. They made a list of all the servants each ambassador had ; and insisted that their number should be givep correctly and not exaggerated, because every one who tells falsehoods will lose his honour. The merchants had been enrolled as menials and per¬ formed services ; accordingly the list was compiled as follows:— Amir Shddy Khdjah and Kukchah, 200 men. Sultan Ahmad and Ghayath-ul-din the painter 150 u A’rghddq 60 V Ardun 50 » Tdj-ul-din 50 )} The ambassadors of Mirzd Olugh Beg had proceed¬ ed in advance, and the couriers of Mirzd Ebrahim Bultdn had not yet arrived. On the 16th of Sh&ban (Aug. 26), Wamek Wajy, who was the governor of that region, prepared a great banquet to which he invited the ambassadors ; they went to his Yurt, where they found the Khatdy people assembled in great numbers as is their wont, in line after line, so that no created being could pass through them, except at four doors which had been left on the four sides of the qua¬ drangle which enclosed a large space. Within this space there was a high pavilion of the extent of one jarib [space that will, if 60wn, produce 385 mudds or 768 pounds of corn] ; a great tent was pitched there with two Khatdy lances standing in front of it, and with its borders tucked up like a royal seat. There was also a wooden kiosk [stand¬ ing on four pillars] and 6heds, 60 that within that space of one jarib the sun could not shine. Be¬ neath these two lances, the seat of Wdjy had been placed, with sofas on both sides of it. The ambas¬ sadors took their seats on the left and the amirs of Khata on the right, because the latter consider the left side to be more honourable than the right, since the position of the heart, the sovereign of the human frame, is on the left. Before every one of the ambassadors and amirs, a table was placed with ducks, fowls, cooked meat, dried fruits, cakes, fine bread, and nice confectionery wra pped in paper and silk. Opposite, there was a royal buffet erected in an elevated place, filled with China bowls and goblets of crystal or silver ; on the right and left of the buffet were places for vocal and instrumental performers with orghanfin, fiddle, fifes, and drums of various kiuds. There were also handsome youths adorned like women with their faces painted red and white; they wore ear¬ rings of pearls, and represented a theatrical perform¬ ance. In the open space, as far as the four doors, stood soldiers dressed in coats, who were so digni¬ fied and stately that they never moved a single step forward or backward. The people were seated according to their dignity ; the governor of the feast handed the cups round to amirs and envoys, whilst the actors, who wore paste¬ board-masks, representing various animals, that con¬ cealed then- features so well that not even their ears or necks could be seen, went on with their perform¬ ances ; and cup-bearers served out the beverages according to the distich :— Throw away the lasso intended for Behram’s game ; take the cup of Jem ; For, I examined this plain ; it contains neither Behrdm nor his onager. Some moon-faced and tulip-cheeked boys attended, who bore pitchers of delicious wine, whilst others held, on the palms of their hands, platters full of sugarcandy, grapes, nuts, peeled chesnuts, lemons, with onions and garlic preserved in vinegar, and likewise sliced Cucumbers and water-melons ; when¬ ever the amir gave a cup to any, one of them brought dishes for him to select whatever confec¬ tionery he liked. They had also constructed the figure of a stork, in which a boy was enclosed who moved his feet according to musical time, and also leapt about in all directions to the astonishment of every one pre¬ sent. After spending that day from morn till even in joy and amusement, the travellers again resumed their journey on the 17th Sh&bdn (Aug. 27th), and arrived after a few days in Qardwul. Qariwul is a very strong fort among the moun¬ tains, and can be entered only on one side by a road which also leads out of it on the other. The garri¬ son took the name of every one of the travellers, who after leaving Qardwul arrived in the town of B y k j u, where they were lodged in the large guard-house which was over the gate of the city ; there the whole baggage was taken away, regis¬ tered, and again returned to them. They obtained whatever food or drink they needed, as well as nice furniture with carpets ; and a sleeping dress of silk, with a servant to wait on him, was given to every man ; and the travellers were treated in this manner in all the gua'd-houses. As far as the city of Khata they met with the same hospitality. B y k j u is a great town, surrounded by a high wall ; its form is a square, and it contains spacious