[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) › 40.4 # The Institutes of Akbar 40.4 The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 40.4 - **Language:** English ### [40.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40.4) some of the dishes being in charge of each of the Sub-Bakáwals. During the time of cooking, and when the victuals are taken out, an awning is spread, and lookers-on kept away. The cooks tuck up their sleeves, and the hems of their garments, and hold their hands before their mouths and noses when the food is taken out; the cook and the Bakáwal taste it, after which it is tasted by the Mír Bakáwal, and then put into the dishes. The gold and silver dishes are tied up in red cloths, and those of copper and china in white ones. The Mír Bakáwal attaches his seal, and writes on it the names of the contents, whilst the clerk of the pantry writes out on a sheet of paper a list of all vessels and dishes, which he sends inside, with the seal of the Mír Bakáwal, that none of the dishes may be changed. The dishes are carried by the Bakáwals, the cooks, and the other servants, and macebearers precede and follow, to prevent people from approaching them. The servants of the pantry send at the same time, in bags containing the seal of the Bakáwal, various kinds of bread, saucers of curds piled up, and small stands containing plates of pickles, fresh ginger, limes, and various greens. The servants of the palace again taste the food, spread the table cloth on the ground, and arrange the dishes; and when after some time his Majesty commences to dine, the table servants sit opposite him in attendance: first, the share of the derwishes is put apart, when his Majesty commences with milk or curds. - [Previous: 40.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40.3) - [Next: 40.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40.5) - [Up: 40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.admin.ain-i-akbari~en-blochmann-jarrett.40.4) · Pramāṇa