Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.15.9

25.15.9

But amongst their gentlemen and men of the better sort, the first rank is that of Ensign, which word is to be written with the Alif surmounted by a Kesra, as is the sin by a fetah quiescent. After that, they become Loftununs, and after that, Capitains. The next rank is that of Major; the next after it, is that of Cornal; after which comes that of Gernal (General), which is the highest rank to which Military men can pretend to. The gentlemen likewise other than the Military, who are in high offices and employments, have amongst themselves degrees of service and rank, which have not come minutely to my knowledge; but the whole of them collectively are called Carranis. The ranks and degrees of both corps are reckoned by seniority of time, and by priority of rank; so that whoever has got soonest into the service, has an advance upon the others; and whoever has got into it latest, is later in station and preferment likewise. And thus they follow each other in order; nor can a junior servant pretend to the preferment of a senior, unless some link should happen to get loose from the chain; and this cannot be the case, but only by a demise, by resignation of the service, or by a dismission for some fault or misdemeanour. In this manner, so soon as this one is got out of the chain, the others follow of course, and advance by one degree in their respective classes, without needing any intreaty or application for that purpose;