Part 13 (1/2)

[106] The _tora_ is a bag containing a thousand pieces (gold or silver). It is used in a collective sense, like the term _kisa_, or ”purse,” among the Persians and Turks; only the _kisa_ consists of five hundred dollars, a sum very nearly equal to 1000 _rupis_.

[107] The word in the original is _Damishk_, an Indian corruption of the Arabic _Dimashk_, which latter mode of p.r.o.nunciation I have followed in my printed edition.

[108] The grand street where all the large shops are. In oriental towns of considerable size, there is generally a distinct _bazar_ for each species of goods, such as ”the cloth _bazar_,” ”the jewellery _bazar_,” &c.

[109] The merchant would have rather a puzzling voyage of it, if he went by sea from Yaman to Damascus.

[110] The sacred rupee, or piece of silver, is a coin which is dedicated to the _Imam Zamin,_ or ”the guardian _Imam_, (a personage nearly allied to the guardian saint of a good Catholic), to avert evils from those who wear them tied on the arm, or suspended from the neck.

[111] To mark the forehead with _tika_, or curdled milk, is a superst.i.tious ceremony in _Hindustan_, as a propitious omen, on beginning a voyage or journey. It is probable that the _Musulmans_ of India borrowed this ceremony, among several others, from the _Hindus_.

[112] Literally, ”when half the night was on this side, and half on that.”

[113] The _dopatta_ is a large piece of cloth worn by women, which covers the head and goes round the body; the act of drawing her _dopatta_ over her face is mentioned as a proof of her modesty. Men likewise wear the _dopatta_ flung over the shoulders, or wrapped round the waist. It is often of gauze and muslin.

[114] This is _Mir Amman's_ plain expression. Ferdinand Smith's translation savours somewhat of the Hibernian, viz., ”She still loves him who has murdered her.”

[115] ”The _ghari_ is the 60th part of 24 hours, or 24 of our minutes. It may be observed that the _ghari_ was a fixed quant.i.ty, not subject to variation, like the _pahar_, which last, in the north of India, was made to vary from seven to nine _gharies_, according to the season of the year, or as it referred to the day or night in the same season. Since the introduction of European watches and clocks, the term _ghari_ is applied to the Christian hour of sixty minutes.

[116] Literally, ”became such a mountain.”

[117] _'Isa_ is the name of Jesus among the _Muhammadans_; who all believe, (from the New Testament, transfused into the _Kuran_,) in the resurrection of Lazarus, and the numerous cures wrought by our Saviour. This, perhaps, induced _Mir Amman_ to call the wonder-performing barber and surgeon _'Isa_.

[118] The Arabic expression is _salam 'alaik.u.m_ or _'alaika_, i.e. ”Peace be on you” or ”on thee.” This mode of greeting is used only towards _Musulmans_; and when it has pa.s.sed between them, it is understood to be a pledge of friendly confidence and sincere good will.

[119] The _nim_ is a large and common tree in India, the leaves of which are very bitter, and used as a decoction to reduce contusions and inflammations; also to cleanse wounds.

[120] The spirit drawn from the leaves of an aromatic tree which grows in _Kashmir_, called _Bed-Mushk_; it is a tonic and exhilarating.

[121] A humble deportment when addressing superiors in India; and through complaisance, used sometimes to equals.

[122] An act of ceremony ever observed amongst the well-bred in India, when a visitor takes leave. _'Itr_ is the essence of any flower, more especially of the rose (by us corruptly called ”otto of roses”); and _betel_ is a preparation of the aromatic leaf so generally used in the East, more especially in India. The moment they are introduced, it is a hint to the visitor to take leave.

[123] The _khil'at_ is a dress of honour, in general a rich one, presented by superiors to inferiors. In the zenith of the _Mughal_ empire these _khil'ats_ were expensive honours, as the receivers were obliged to make rich presents to the emperor for the _khil'ats_ they received. The _khil'at_ is not necessarily restricted to a rich dress; sometimes, a fine horse, or splendid armour, &c., may form an item of it.

[124] The word _pari_, ”a fairy,” is frequently used figuratively to denote a beautiful woman.

[125] _Masnad_ means literally a sort of counterpane, made of silk, cloth, or brocade, which is spread on the carpet, where the master of the house sits and receives company; it has a large pillow behind to lean the back against, and generally two small ones on each side. It also, metaphorically, implies the seat on which kings, _nawwabs_, and governors sit the day they are invested with their royalty, &c. So that to say that _Shah-'Alam_ sat on the _masnad_ on such a day, means that he was on that day invested with royalty.

[126] Asiatics divide the world into seven climes; so to reign over the seven climes means, metaphorically, to reign over the whole world; king of the seven climes was one of the t.i.tles of the Mogul emperors.

[127] Literally, ”it was not in the power of eyesight to dwell upon her splendour.”

[128] A Persian proverb, somewhat ill.u.s.trative of a story told of a West India ”n.i.g.g.e.r,” whom his master used to over-flog. ”Ah, ma.s.sa,”

said Sambo, ”poor man dare not vex--him d.a.m.ned sorry though.”

[129] The _Kalam-dan,_ literally ”the pen-holder,” means here the small tray containing pens, inkstand, a knife, &c.

[130] _Tirpauliya_ means three arched gates; there are many such which divide grand streets in Indian cities, and may be compared to our Temple Bar in London, only much more splendid.