Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 1.djvu/30

 CHAPTER XXXV.

FATHIPOORPOOR ?] SICRI AND COLONEL GARDNER.

1835, March.

Pilgrimage of Akbar Shāh to Fathīpoor Sicri—Shaikh Selīm Cheestie—The Jodh Bā'ī—Birth of Selīm—The Tomb of the Saint—The Gateway—A Tradition—The Temple of Magic—The Zenāna—The Pachīsī Board—The Mint—Akbārābādee Rupees and Gold Mohurs—The Elephant Minār—A Child destroyed by a Wolf—Tomb of the Jodh Bā'ī—Agra built by Akbar—Sketches of Remarkable Living Characters in India—Legality of a Marriage between a Christian and one of the Faithful—Colonel Gardner's Letter—Letter of Colonel Tod—Insult offered by Holkar—Colonel Gardner's Marriage—Tomb of Colonel Hessing—Cure of Influenza within the Four Walls—Death in a Steam-Bath     401

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE MARRIAGE.

1835, March.

Pedigree of the Bride and Bridegroom—Reports concerning the Beauty of the Bride—Anxiety of English Gentlemen to marry into Colonel Gardner's Family—Mirza Unjun Shekō—The First Procession—The Bride's Dress—Necessity of Weeping—The Oily Mixture—Strict Seclusion—Dress of the Bridegroom—The Oily Mixture complimentary—The Hoolī—Bridal Songs—The Sāchak—The Bridegroom's Procession—Nāch Girls on Platforms—The Menhdi—The Grand Display in the Bride's Procession—The Parda—The Prince dyed with Hinnā—Midnight the Fashionable Hour for Dinner—Wedding Dishes—Silvered Food—Conclusion of the Day—Mr. James Gardner—Mulka Begam highly respected; her will is law     420

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE BURĀT.

1835, March.

The Bridegroom fights for his Bride—The Grand Procession—Superstition of the Prince—Bridal Attire—The Bride's Consent—Signing the Contract—The Nose-ring—Dress of the Bride—The Prince enters the Zenāna—He beholds his Bride—He carries her off—Colonel Gardner's Distress—Fāni] Bhū'a—The Bride's Dower carried in Procession with the newly-married Couple to the Prince's Tents—A Singular Custom—Pān     437