Bagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four Darweshes Part 13

[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.

[131] Ethiopian, or Abyssinian slaves, are commonly called _Sidis_. They are held in great repute for honesty and attachment.

[132] The _chauk_ is in general a large square in Asiatic cities, where are situated the richest shops; it is sometimes a large wide street.

[133] In the original there is a play on the word _'alam_ which signifies "beauty," "the world," also "a mult.i.tude of people," or what the French call "tout le monde."

[134] Literally, "the observance of the [form of greeting] "_sahib salamat_," or "_salam 'alaika_," by which he had been at first accosted by his customer.--Vide note on this subject, page 41.

[135] The verb _uthna_ like the Persian _bar-khastan_ is used idiomatically in the sense of "to go away," to "vanish."

[136] Literally, "your command is on my head and eyes," a phrase imitated from the Persian "_ba sar o chashm_."

[137] The phrase "_rah dekhna_," literally to look at the road,"

(by which a person is expected to come;) hence, very naturally and idiomatically it signifies "to be anxiously waiting for one." Again, _rah dikhana_ is the causal form, signifying "to make one wait," of "keep one waiting."

[138] The word _janwar_ means "an animal," in general; but it is frequently used in the more restricted sense of "a bird".

[139] The "evil eye" is a supersitious motion entertained by the ignorant in _all_ countries even until this day. The Asiatics suppose that uncommon qualities of beauty, fortune or health, raise an ominous admiration admiration, which injures the possessor. To tell parents that their children are stout and healthy, is a _mal-a-propos_ compliment; also to congratulate women on their healthy appearance is often unwelcome; the same ridiculous and supersitious accompany all admiration of beauty, fortune, &c. For this reason the visitor, in this case, do not compliment his host on the beauty of his person or the splendour of his dress; but instead make use of the above exclamation.

[140] A celebrated musical performer in upper _Hindustan_, and considered as the first in his art. He lived in the reign of _Akbar_, somo 300 years ago.

[141] A celebrated singer in upper _Hindustan_, who lived about 600 years ago. _Tan-Sen_ and _Ba,ora_ are still held in the highest reverence by singers and musical performers. In the original, there is a play on the words to _tan_ and _ba,ora_ which scarcely needs to be pointed out.

[142] The original is, "_jis Ki itni ta'rif aur ishtiyak zahir kiya_,"

where the word _kiya_ agrees with _ishtiyak_ only, being the noun nearest. A shallow critic would be apt to say that this is bad grammar.

[143] "_La haul parhna_," to repeat or recite the "_La haul_," or more fully, "_La haul wa la kuwwat illa b-Illahi;_" meaning, "there is no power nor strength but in G.o.d." An exclamation used by _Musalmans_ in cases of sudden surprise, misfortune, &c.

[144] The insignia of state among the grandees of India.

[145] The _gulab-pash_ is a silver or gold utensil, like a French bottle, to sprinkle rose water on the company; the _'itr-dan_ one to hold essences, and _pik-duns_ are of bra.s.s or silver to spit in, called by the French _crachoirs_.

[146] The _abdar-khana_ a room appropriated to the cooling of water in ice or saltpetre, by the servant called the _abdar_.

[147] Small leaden mugs with covers for the congelation of ice.

[148] To cool the water which they contain; they are made of pewter.

[149] The _masnad_ and its large back pillow are criterions of Asiatic etiquette. To an inferior or dependant, the master of the house gives the corner of the _masnad_ to sit on; to an equal or intimate friend, he gives part of the large pillow to lean on; to a superior, he abandons the whole pillow, and betakes himself to the corner of the _masnad_.

[150] A kind of _palki_ or sedan, for the conveyance of the women of people of rank in India.

[151] A sign of afflicting surprise.

[152] _Majnun_, a lover famed in eastern romance, who long pined in unprofitable love for _Laili_, an ugly hard-hearted mistress. The loves of _Yusuf_ and , Khusru_ and _Shirin_, also of _Laili_ and _Majnun_, are the fertile themes of Persian romance.

[153] The _Muhammadans_ reckon their day from sunset.