[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [State papers](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin) › [Āʾīn-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari) › [The Ain i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett) › 34.2 # The Institutes of Akbar 34.2 The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 34.2 - **Language:** English ### [34.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.2) Of musical instruments used in the Naqqárahkhánah, I may mention, 1. the Kuwargah, commonly called damámah; there are eighteen pair of them more or less; and they give a deep sound. 2. The naqqárah, twenty pair, more or less. 3. The duhul, of which four are used. 4. The karaná is made of gold, silver, brass, and other metals: and they never blow fewer than four. 5. The surná of the Persian and Indian kinds; they blow nine together. 6. The nafír, of the Persian, European, and Indian kinds; they blow some of each kind. 7. The sing is of brass, and made in the form of a cow’s horn; they blow two together. 8. The sanj, or cymbal, of which three pair are used. Formerly the band played four gharis before the commencement of the night, and likewise four gharis before daybreak; now they play first at midnight, when the sun commences his ascent, and the second time at dawn. One ghari before sunrise, the musicians commence to blow the surná, and wake up those that are asleep; and one ghari after sunrise, they play a short prelude, when they beat the kuwargah a little, whereupon they blow the karaná, the nafír, and the other instruments, without, however, making use of the naqqárah; after a little pause the surnás are blown again, the time of the music being indicated by the nafírs. One hour later the naqqárahs commence, when all musicians raise “the auspicious strain.” After this they go through the following seven performances. 1. - [Previous: 34.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.1) - [Next: 34.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.3) - [Up: 34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.34.2) · Pramāṇa