The Institutes of Akbar 77.3

77.3

He adorns the outside of the barrel in various ways, according to orders, when it is taken to the Harem. The wood and the shape of the stock are then determined on. Several things are marked on every matchlock, viz., the weight of the raw and the manufactured iron, the former marks being now removed; the place where the iron is taken from; the workman; the place where the gun is made; the date; its number. Sometimes without reference to a proper order, one of the unfinished barrels is selected, and completed at His Majesty’s command. It is then entered in another place; the transverse bottom piece is fixed; and the order is given to make the cock, the ramrod, the pargaz, &c. As soon as all these things have been completed, a new trial is ordered; and when it succeeds, they send in the gun, and deliver it a third time at the Harem. In this state the gun is called sádah (plain). Five bullets are sent along with it. His Majesty, after trying it in the manner above described, returns it with the fifth bullet. The order for the colour of the barrel and the stock is now given; one of the nine kinds of colour is selected for the stock. Guns also differ in the quantity of inlaid gold and enamel; the colour of the barrel is uniform. A gun thus far completed is called rangin (coloured). It is now, as before, handed over together with five bullets; His Majesty makes four trials, and returns it with the last ball.