The Foundations And Some Rooms
Were Hewn Out Of The Solid Rock, The Rest Being Built Of Freestone.
Close Adjoining Was A Handsome Small Garden, With Fine Fountains, With
Two Great Tanks Or Ponds Of Water, One Being Thirty Steps Higher Than
The Other.
The way to this retreat is so narrow that only two persons
could go abreast, and is almost inaccessible, being very steep and
stony.
It is a place of much melancholy, yet of great security and
delight, abounding in peacocks, turtle-doves, wild fowl, and monkies,
which inhabit the rocks impending on every side around.
The 2d of March began the feast of Norsose in the evening. This is the
festival of the new year, the ceremonies of which begin on the first new
moon after, which this year fell together. It is kept in imitation of
the Persian feast of that cause, signifying in that language nine
days, as anciently it continued only for that number; but these are now
doubled. On this occasion, a throne is erected about four feet high in
the durbar court; from the back of which, to the place where the king
comes out from the inner apartments, a space of fifty-six paces long by
forty-three broad is railed in, and covered over by semianes, or
canopies, of cloth of gold, velvet, and rich silk, all joined over
head, and held up by canes covered with similar stuffs. At the upper or
west end, were set out the pictures of the king of England, the queen,
the Princess Elizabeth, the Countesses of Somerset and Salisbury, and of
a citizen's wife of London. Below, there was a picture of Sir Thomas
Smith, governor of the East India Company. The whole floor was laid with
rich Persian carpets of large size, and into this place come all the
great men to wait upon the king, except a few, who were within a smaller
railed space, right before the throne, appointed to receive his
commands. Within this square there were set out many small houses, one
of which was of silver, and other curiosities of value. On the left
side, Sultan Churrum had a pavilion, the supporters of which were
covered with silver, as were also some others of those near the king's
throne. This was of wood and of a square form, inlaid with mother of
pearl, resting on four pillars covered with cloth of gold; and overhead
was a fringed drapery like a vallence of network, all of real pearls,
whence hung down pomegranates, apples, and pears, and other fruits, all
of gold, but hollow. Within that pavilion, the king sat on cushions,
very rich in pearls and other jewels. All round the court before the
throne, the principal men had tents or pavilions, mostly lined with
velvet, damask, and taffety, and some few with cloth of gold, in which
they were stationed, making shew of their wealth. Anciently, the kings
used to go to every tent, taking away whatever pleased him best: But now
the custom is changed, as the king remains on his throne, and receives
there such new-year's-gifts as are brought to him. He makes his
appearance every day, and retires at the usual hours of the durbar; and
in the interval all sorts of great gifts are made to him, which are very
great and almost incredible, though not equal to report. At the close of
this feast, in recompence for these gifts, the king advances some of his
courtiers, making additions to their charges of horse, according to his
pleasure.
On the 12th[198] I went to visit the king, and was brought immediately
before him to deliver my present, which gave him much satisfaction. He
then appointed me to come within the rail, that I might stand beside
him; but not being allowed to step up on the raised platform on which
the throne was placed, I could see little, as the railing was high, and
covered with carpets. But I had permission to view the inner room at
leisure, which, I must confess, was very rich; but consisted of so many
articles, all unsuitable to each other, that it seemed patched work,
rather than magnificent, as if it aimed to shew all; as if a lady, among
her plate on a magnificent cupboard, should exhibit her embroidered
slippers. This evening, the son of the Raima, the new tributary formerly
mentioned, was brought before the king, with much ceremony, being sent
by his father with a present. After kneeling three times, and knocking
his forehead on the ground, he was brought within the inner rail, when
the king embraced his head. His gift was an Indian tray or voider full
of silver, upon which was a carved silver dish full of gold. He was then
conducted to pay his respects to the prince. This evening, some
elephants were shewn, and some music girls sang and danced. - Sic
transit gloria mundi.
[Footnote 198: It may be proper to observe, that Churchill's edition
gives the commencement of this festival on the 11th, and says Sir Thomas
went to the durbar next day. - E.]
The 13th at night, I went again to wait upon the king at the Guzalcan,
at which is the best opportunity for transacting business, and took with
me my Italian interpreter, determined to walk no longer in darkness, but
to prove the king, as I had hitherto been delayed and refused on all
hands. I was sent for in, along with my old broker, but my Italian was
kept out, because Asaph Khan mistrusted I might say more than he was
willing should come to the king's ears. On coming to the king, he
appointed me a place to stand just before him, and sent to ask me many
questions respecting the king of England, and about the present I had
made him the day before. To some of these I made answers; but I at
length said, that my interpreter was kept out, and as I could not speak
Portuguese, I wanted the means of satisfying his majesty.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 115 of 243
Words from 116554 to 117572
of 247546
