The Institutes of Akbar 121: AIN 71. · THE FURNITURE OF MULES.

121

For imported mules, a head stall of leather, 20½ d.; an iron chain weighing 2 s., 10 d.; a ranakī (crupper) of leather, 4 d.; a pālān (pack-saddle), 102 d.; a shāltang (shawl strap), and a palās-tang (blanket strap), 36½ d.; a tāgah tanāb (a rope for fastening the burden,) 6½ d.; a qatīr shalāq (a short whip), 6 d.; a bell, one for every qatār, 10 d.; a horse hair saddle, 40 d.; a kalāwah (vide Ain 45, No. 9) of leather, 13 d.; a set of ropes, 9 d.; a saddle cloth, 4½ d.; a sardos (a common head stall) 4 d.; a khurjīn (wallet), 15 d.; a fodder-bag, 4 d.; a magas-rān (to drive away flies) of leather, 1 d.; a curry-comb and a hair-glove (for washing), 4 d. Total, 345½ d.
For country-bred mules the allowance is 151½ d., viz. a head stall of leather, 4 d.; pack-saddle, 51 d. 18½ j.; the two straps, 16½ d.; a tāgah a tanāb and sardār, 40 d.; a bell, 5 d.; a fodder-bag, 3 d.; a crupper, 3 d.; a saddle, 24 d.; a curry-comb and a hair-glove, 4 d.
The furniture is renewed every third year; but for all iron and wood work, half the price is deducted. The annual allowance for the repair of the furniture is 40 d.; but on the march, the time of renewal depends on the wear. Mules are shod every six months at a cost of 8 d. per head.
Each qatār is in charge of a keeper. Tūrānīs, Īrānīs, and Indians, are appointed to this office; the first two get from 400 to 192 d.; and the third class, from 240 to 256 d. per mensem. Such keepers as have monthly salaries of 10 R. [400 d.] and upwards, have to find the peshhang (first mule of their qatār) in grain and grass. Experienced people inspect the mules twice a year as to leanness or fatness. Once a year they are paraded before His Majesty.
If a mule gets blind or lame, the keeper is fined one-fourth of the cost price; and one-half, if it is lost.
Asses also are employed for carrying burdens and fetching water. They get 3 s. of grain, and 1 d. for grass. The furniture for asses is the same as that for country-bred mules, but no saddle is given. The annual allowance for repairs is 23 d. The keepers do not get above 120 d. per mensem.