The Institutes of Akbar 75: AIN 35. · THE ARSENAL.
The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 75
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AIN 35. · THE ARSENAL.
75.1
The order of the Household, the efficiency of the Army, and the welfare of the country, are intimately connected with the state of this department; hence His Majesty gives it every attention, and looks scrutinizingly into its working order. He introduces all sorts of new methods, and studies their applicability to practical purposes. Thus a plated armour was brought before His Majesty, and set up as a target; but no bullet was so powerful as to make an impression on it. A sufficient number of such armours has been made so as to supply whole armies. His Majesty also looks into the prices of such as are sold in the bazars.
75.2
All weapons for the use of His Majesty have names, and a proper rank is assigned to them. Thus there are thirty swords, (khāçah swords) one of which is daily sent to His Majesty’s sleeping apartments. The old one is returned, and handed over to the servants outside the Harem, who keep it till its turn comes again. Forty other swords are kept in readiness: they are called kotal swords. When the number of khāçah swords (in consequence of presents, &c.) has decreased to twelve, they supply new ones from the kotal swords. There are also twelve Yakbandi(?), the turn of every one of which recurs after one week. Of Jāmdhars and K’hapwahs, there are forty of each. Their turn recurs every week; and each has thirty kotals, from which deficiencies are supplied as before. Besides, eight knives, twenty spears and barchhas are required monthly. Of eighty-six Mashhadi bows, Bhadéyan bows, and twenty-four others, are returned monthly.... In the same manner a rank is assigned to each.
75.3
Whenever His Majesty rides out, or at the time of the Bār i ’Ām or Levee, the sons of the Amīrs, and other Mansabdārs and Ahadīs, carry the Qūr in their hands and on their shoulders, i. e., every four of them carry four quivers, four bows, four swords, four shields; and besides, they take up lances, spears, axes, pointed axes, piyáz, war-clubs, sticks, bullet bows, pestles, and a footstool, all properly arranged. Several qitárs of camels and mules are loaded with weapons and kept in readiness; and on travels, they use Bactrian camels, &c., for that purpose. At Court receptions the Amírs and other people stand opposite the Qur, ready for any service; and on the march, they follow behind it, with the exception of a few who are near His Majesty. Elephants in full trappings, camels, carriages, naqqárahs, flags, the kaukabahs, and other Imperial insignia, accompany the Qur, while eager macebearers superintend the march, assisted by the Mírbakhshís. In hunting expeditions several swift runners are in attendance, and a few others are in charge of harnesses. In order to shorten the trouble of making references, I shall enumerate the weapons now in use in form of a table, and give pictures of some of them.
75.4
1. Swords (slightly bent), ...... ½ R. to 15 Muhurs. 2. K’hándah (straight swords),.......... 1 to 10 R. 3. Guptí ’Asá (a sword in a walking stick), 2 to 20 R. 4. Jamd’har (a broad dagger), .......... ½ R. to 2½ M. 5. Khanjar, ..... ½ to 5 R. 6. K’hapwah, ...... ½ R. to 1½ M. 7. Jam K’hák,....... ½ R. to 1½ M. 8. Bánk, ..... ½ R. to 1 M. 9. Jhanbwah, ..... ½ R. to 1 M. 10. Katárah, ..... ½ R. to 1 M. 11. Narsink Mót’h, ..... ½ R. to 2 M. 12. Kamán (bows),...... ½ R. to 3 M. 13. Takhsh Kamán, ..... 1 to 4 R. 14. Náwak,......... ½ R. to 1 M. 15. Arrows, per bundle, .... ½ to 30 R. 16. Quivers, ....... ½ R. to 1½ M. 17. Dál, ..... 2 to 6 M. 18. Tírbardár (Arrow drawers), ..... ½ to 2½ M. 19. Paikánkash (Do.), ..... ½ to 3 R. 20. Naizah (a lance),.... 1½ R. to 6 M. 21. Barchhah,..... 2 R. to 2½ M. 22. Sánk,..... ½ to 1½ R.
75.5
23. Saint’ ... ½ to 1 R. 24. Sélarah, ... 10 d. to 2 R. 25. Gurz (a war club,) ... ½ to 5 R. 26. Shashpar (do.), ... ½ R. to 3 M. 27. Késtan (?) ... 1 to 3 R. 28. Tabar (a war axe), ... ½ to 2 R. 29. Piydzi (a club), ... ½ to 5 R. 30. Zaghnél (a pointed axe) ... ½ R. to 1 M. 31. Chakar-Basdlah, ... 1 to 6 R. 32. Tabar zéghndl, ... 1 to 4 R. 33. Tarangalah, ... ½ to 2 R. 34. Kard (a knife) ... 2 d. to 1 M. 35. Gupti kérd, ... ½ R. to 1½ M. 36. Qamchi kard, ... 1 to 3½ R. 37. Chaqt (a clasp knife) ... 2 d. to ½ R. 38. Kaman i Guréhah (bullet bow) ... 2 d. to 1 R. 39. Kamt’hah, ... 5 d. to 3 R. 40. Tufak i dahén (a tube; Germ. Blaserohr) 10 d. to ½ R. 41. Pushtkhar, ... 2 d. to 2 R. 42. Shagtdw6éz, ... 2 d. to 1 R. 43. Girthkushé, ... 1 d. to ½ R. 44. Khari Mahi, ... 1 to 5 R. 45. Gobhan (a sling) ... 1½ d. to ½ R. 46. Gajbag, ... 1 to 5 R. 47. Sipar (a shield), ... 1 to 50 R. 48. Dhal, ... ½ to 4 R. 49. K’hérah, ... 1 R. to 4 M. 50. Jaibah, ... 2 R. to 1 M. 51. Zirih, ... 1 to 5 R. 52. Dubulghah, ... ½ R. to 3½ M. 53. Top, ... 1 to 4 R. 54. Girth Kuldh, ... 1 to 5 R. 55. Ghug’huwah, ... 1 R. to 2 M. 56. Jaibah i Shahi, ... 20 R. to 30 M.
75.6
58. Bagtar, 4 R. to 12 M. 59. Jéshan, 4 R. to 9 M. 60. Chár Aínah, 2 R. to 7 M. 61. Kothhí, 5 R. to 8 M. 62. Cadigí, 3 R. to 8 M. 63. Angirk’hah, 1½ R. to 5 M. 64. Bhanju, 3 R. to 2 M. 65. Chihrahzirih i Áhaní, 1½ R. to 1 M. 66. Salhqabá, 5 R. to 8 M. 67. Chihilqad, 5 to 25 R. 68. Dastwánah, 1½ R. to 2 M. 69. Rák, 1 R. to 10 M. 70. Kant’hah sobhá, 1 to 10 R. 71. Mítal i Áhang, 4 to 10 R. 72. Kajém, 50 to 300 R. 73. Artak (the quilt) i Kajém, 4 R. to 7 M. 74. Qashqah, 1 R. to 2½ M. 75. Gardaní, 1 R. to 1 M. 76. Matchlocks, ½ R. to 1 M. 77. Bán (rockets), 2½ to 4 R.