The Institutes of Akbar 157: ON THE ANIMALS OF THE ARMY.

The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 157

Language: English

ON THE ANIMALS OF THE ARMY.

157.1

In the 18th year of his reign, His Majesty introduced the branding system. [vide p. 140, note 1]. The ranks of the men were also laid down in the best manner, and the classification of the animals belonging to the army was attended to. The requirements for each were noted down, and excellent regulations were issued. The maximum and minimum prices were enquired into by His Majesty, and average prices were fixed. A proper check by accounts was enforced, and regulations on this subject were laid down. The Bakhshís were also freed from the heavy responsibility of bringing new men, and every thing went on smoothly. 1. Horses. They have been divided into seven classes. The rate of their daily food has also been fixed. These seven classes are Arabs, Persian horses, Mujannas, Turkí horses, Yábús, Tázís, and Janglah horses.

157.2

The first class are either Arab bred, or resemble them in gracefulness and prowess. They cost 720 dáms per mensem; and get daily 6 s. of grain (the price of which, in the estimates for each animal, is put down at 12 d. per man), 2½ d. of g’hí, 2 d. for sugar, and 3 d. for grass. Also, for a jul, artak, yálposh, girth (His Majesty does not call it tang, but farákhí), gaddí, nukhtahband, ‘qáizah (which the vulgar pronounces gáizah), magasrán, curry comb, hathí’hí (a bag made of horse hair for washing the horse), towel, páiband, nails, &c., [vide p. 136], 70 d. per mensem, which outlay is called kharj i yaráq i asp (outlay for the harness of the horse). Besides, 60 d. for the saddle, and an apehí(?) every second month; 7 d. per mensem for shoes; and 63 d. for a groom, who gets double this allowance, if he takes charge of two horses. Total, 479 d. But as His Majesty cares for the comfort of the army, and enquires into the satisfactory condition of the soldiers, he increased, in the very beginning, this allowance of 479 d. by 81 d.; and when the value of the Rupee was increased from 35 to 40 dáms, His Majesty granted a second additional allowance of 80 d. This coin [the Rupee] is always counted at 40 d. in salaries. Afterwards, a third additional allowance of 2 R. (80 d.) was ordered to be given for each class of horses, except Janglahs, which horses are now-a-days entirely left out in the accounts.

157.3

The second class are horses bred in Persia, or such as resemble Persian horses in shape and bearing. Monthly allowance, 680 d. Of this, 458 d. are necessary expenses, being 21 d. less than the former, viz. 10 d. for the yaráq, 10 d. for saddle and bridle, and 1 d. for shoes. The first increase which was given, amounted to 67 d.; the second, to 75 d.; the third to 80 d. Total 680 d. The third class, or Mujannas horses, resemble Persian horses [vide p. 140, note 2], and are mostly Turkí, or Persian geldings. Monthly cost 560 d. Of this, 358 d. are for necessaries. The allowance for these horses is 100 d. less than the preceding, viz., 30 d. less for sugar; 30 d. less for saddle, bridle, &c.; 15 d. less in g’hi; 3 d. less for the groom; 2 d. less for shoeing. First increase sanctioned by His Majesty, 72 d.; second, 50 d.; third, 80 d. The fourth class are horses imported from Turan; though strong and well-formed, they do not come up to the preceding. Monthly allowance, 480 d. Of this, 298 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 60 d. less than for Mujannas horses, viz., 30 d. less for sugar, 30 d. less for grass; 10 d. less for the yaraq; 4 d. less for the saddle, bridle, &c.; 2 d. less for shoeing; 2 d. less for g’hi. But the daily allowance of grain was increased by 2 sers (which amounts to 18 d. per mensem), as the sugar had been left out. First increase 52 d.; second, 50 d.; third 80 d.

157.4

The fifth class (yabu horses) are bred in this country, but fall short in strength and size. Their performances also are mostly bad. They are the offspring of Turki horses with an inferior breed. Monthly cost 400 d. Of this, 239 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 59 d. less than the preceding; viz., 28 d. for g’hi; 15 d. less for the groom; 10 d. less for the yaraq; and 6 d. less for the saddle, bridle, &c. First increase, 41 d.; second increase, 40 d.; third, 80 d. The last two classes also are mostly Indian breed. The best kind is called Tasis; middling ones, Janglahs; inferior ones, Tatis. Good mares are reckoned as Tazis; if not, they are counted as Janglahs. 1. Tasis. Monthly cost, 320 d., of which 188 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 51 d. less than for the Yabu, viz., 18 d. less for grain, as they only get 6 sers per diem; 15 d. less for grass; 10 d. less for g’hi and sugar; 8 d. less for yaraq. First increase, 22 d.; second, 30 d.; third, 80 d. 2. Janglahs. Monthly cost, 240 d., of which 145½ d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 42½ d. less than for Tasis. The daily allowance of grain has been fixed at 5 sers. Hence there are 15 d. less for grass; 9 d. less for grain; 6 d. less for g’hi and molasses; 4½ d. less for the yaraq; 2 d. less for shoeing. First increase, 29½ d.; second 25 d.; third, 40 d. Formerly, mules were reckoned as Tazi horses; but now-a-days, as Janglahs.

157.5

For Tatis the monthly expenditure is 160 d.; but this animal is now altogether thrown out. Note by the Translator. We may arrange Abulfazl’s items in a tabular form. From several remarks in Badaoni, we may conclude that the horses of the Imperial army were mostly fourth and sixth class horses. The exportation of horses from Hindustan was strictly prohibited by Akbar, who made the kotwals responsible for it; vide Bad. II, p. 390, l. 5 from below. Many recruits on joining the contingent of a Mansabdar, brought horses with them, for which the Manṣabdár received from the Treasury an allowance according to the following table. The allowance of sugar, or molasses, according to Abulfazl ceases from Class IV.; but as he goes on mentioning it in the inferior classes, I have made brackets. G’hí and molasses were generally given together; vide p. 135. 2. Elephants. The branded elephants of the army are divided into seven classes: Masti, Sher gír, Sádah, Manjholah, Karha, P’handurkiya, and Mokal, elephants; but there are no subdivisions, as in His Majesty’s elephant stables [vide p. 124, l. 17]. The monthly allowance for Masti elephants is 1320 dáms [33 Rupees]. Daily allowance of grain, 2½ mans. No elephant has more than three servants, a Maháwat, a Bhoi, and a Meth, of whom the first gets 120 d., and the two last 90 d. An increase of 120 d. was given. From the beginning elephants were branded; but now certain differences are made.

157.6

Shergír Elephants. Monthly cost, 1100 d., which is 220 d. less than the former. Grain, 2 m. per diem, which makes 180 d. less per mensem; also 15 d. less for the Maháwat and the Bhoí. His Majesty increased the allowance by 110 d. Sádah Elephants. Monthly cost, 800 d., which is 300 d. less than the preceding. Grain 1½ m. per diem, which gives 180 d. less per month. Besides 30 d. less for the Meth, and 15 d. less for the Mahawat and the Bhoi. An increase of 50 d. was sanctioned. Manjholah Elephants. Monthly cost, 600 d. Grain 1 m. The decrease is the same as in the preceding; but an additional allowance of 90 d. was sanctioned. Karha Elephants. Monthly cost, 420 d. Grain, 30 s. Hence there is a decrease of 30 d. on this account, and of 15 d. for the Mahawat. No Bhoi is allowed. The additional grant is 60 d. P’handurkiya Elephants. Monthly cost, 300 d. Grain, 15 s. per diem, which gives a decrease of 135 d. per mensem. Only one servant is allowed, at 60 d. per month. An additional grant of 105 d. was sanctioned. Mokal elephants were formerly not counted. Now they are considered worthy of entering the classes. Monthly allowance, 280 d. In all payments on account of elephants, dáms are given, not rupees, so that there is no possibility of fluctuation. 3. Camels. Monthly cost, 240 d. Grain, 6 s.; grass, 1 d.; furniture, 20 d.; the driver, 60 d. An addition of 58 d. was sanctioned; and when the value of the Rupee was fixed at 40 dáms, 20 d. more were allowed.

157.7

4. Oxen. Monthly allowance, 120 d. Grain, 4 s.; grass 1 d.; furniture, 6 d. Additional grant, 38 d. At the time when the value of the rupee was raised, 10 d. more were given. 5. Oxen for the waggons. For each waggon, the monthly expenditure is 600 d., viz., 480 d. for four oxen; 120 d. for grease, repairs, and additional comforts. Elephants and waggons are only allowed to Mançabdárs, and to those who bring good horses and camels, and middling oxen to be branded.