Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/90

 80 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [March, 1873. to answer any calls of nature, because afterwards it would be impossible to do so during the banquet. Accordingly the ambassadors dispersed for a while, and on coming together again they were led through the first and the second court-yard which contains the throne of the sovereign, and entered the third. This was a fine enclosure paved with cut- stone ; it contained a tent in which a large throne could be seen, with three silver-ladders placed against it ; one in front, one on the right, and the third on the left ; with two chamberlains standing, whose mouths were bandaged up to the lappets of the ears with strong paper ; and on the throne there was a small table with many legs, all of which were of gold. The columns, wood-work, and bridges of that building were all painted and varnished in such a manner as to excite the amazement of skilled artists. Tables with food, confectionery, and bou¬ quets of flowers had been placed before the Emperor, on‘whose right and left respectable Wajys were standing with quivers and girded swords, and their shields suspended from their shoulders. In their rear stood soldiers, some with halberts and others with drawn swords. On the left side a place had been prepared for the ambassadors, whilst in front of the Emperor, near the tent, the buffet for the big kettle- drum had been arranged, and near it a man had taken his position on a high bench, having by his side the musicians standing in lines. In front of the throne stood also seven umbrellas of seven different colours. Beyond the tent-ropes on the right and on the left 200,000 armed men had taken up their position. At the dis¬ tance of an arrow-shot, a place ten cubits long and ten broad, enclosed by walls of yellow atlas, had been set apart for arranging the food of the Em¬ peror, and the beverages were also there. Whenever food or drink is brought for the Emperor, all the musicians begin to play on their instruments ; the above mentioned seven umbrellas are quickly brought, the food is placed in a box, covered, and carried to the Harem, before which a large curtain is sus¬ pended, having a silken rope on each side, which being drawn by the two chamberlains standing at the sides, the curtain is folded and the door opened. After everything had been prepared for the assem¬ bly, the door opened in the manner just described, the Emperor came out, and the music began, but as soon as ho was seated it became silent. At the height of ten cubits above the head of the Em¬ peror there was a large bouquet made of yellow atlas by way of a canopy, as well as four dragons fighting with each other. When the Emperor had taken his seat, the ambas¬ sadors were brought forward, and saluted him five times as they had been instructed ; after that they returned and sat down near their own tables. Be¬ sides what was already on the tables, every hour new dishes were brought containing meat, lamb, ducks, and chickens, and beverages were also served out. Meanwhile various performances were going on- First, a company of beardless youths, beautiful as the shining sun, their faces painted red and white like females, with pearls in their ears and dressed in gold-embroidered clothes, holding in their hands bouquets of roses and tulips of various colours, manufactured of paper and silk, performed various dances in a very artistic manner. After that two boys, ten years old, were tied on two planks, arid a man, stretching himself on his back on the ground, lifted up both his feet, on the soles of which several large bamboos were placed; then another man took his position on these bamboos, holding- in his hands several [short ones], which he arranged above each other, and placed on the topmost one a boy of 10 or 12 years of age, who performed various tricks, throwing away gradually all the bamboos till he arrived at the last, on which he conti¬ nued his play, until he suddenly left the bamboo, so that everybody thought he was falling, but the man who was stretched on the ground, jumping up, caught him in his arms in the air ; and in this manner other games were also carried on. The assembly was protracted from the morning till the first prayers. In this court-yard there were also thousands of birds, such as pigeons, ring-doves, ravens, crows, and others, which picked up the fruits and refuse from the dinner without being afraid of the people, nor did any person injure them in tho least. On the termination of the banquet, the Emperor gave presents to the speakers [actors], and then the people dispersed with Kis permission. The ambassadors had sojourned five months in this city, and had daily received the same provisions as on their arrival without any diminution or increase. On several occasions banquets had been arranged for them, in each of which the performers displayed other tricks. On the day of sacrifices [which falls on the 10th Dhulhejjah] the ambassadors spent that blessed festival with due solemnity in the company of Musalmdns at the mosque erected by the Emperor for them. On the 18th Dhulhejjah (Dec. 23rd) some crimi¬ nals were, by order of the Emperor, taken to the place of execution. The Khatdy infidels register the crime and the punishment of every culprit in their judicial court, which is very useful ; they are moreover so scrupulous according to their laws and customs with reference to delinquents and culprits, that if in one of the courts of justice, of which. the Emperor has twelve, the accused individual has not been condemned, and has been found guilty in eleven, he may still escape punishment ; but a man is often imprisoned from six to eleven months, and not punished until his accuser arrives and the crime can be brought home to the perpetrator. On the 27th Muharram (1st Feb. 1421), Yusuf Qadzy Bent some one to the ambassadors with messages that, as on the morrow the new year would begin, the Emperor was to enter the new