The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 65.6

65.6

In this country bozah is prepared from bread and rice, which liquor the people call sir, but it is very much stronger than bozah. They drink nothing but sir with their food, and the oldest is considered to be the best; and when the ingredients are mixed, the people keep it tied up in jars for two or three years in their houses. They then take off the scum, and the liquor is called achi, which can be kept for ten years. If it is kept for a longer period, so much the better; but it should never be less than one year old. Sultan Mahmud used to take a cup of sir, and yet a mouthful is sufficient to create intoxication. Sultan Husain does the same. They brought the very first quality for my use. I took some by way of trial. I had taken some before. It is harsh and bitter to the taste; and it seems that they mix a little bhang in it. If you get drunk with it, it occasions drowsiness. If there were no such thing as wine, this might be used as a substitute. The fruits are apricots, peaches, and pears, but they are all sour and ill-flavoured.