The Afghan History of Khān Jahān 1.1.8

1.1.8

Sultán Bahlol, who was one of the party, had instructed his Afgháns to behave in a foolish and indecorous mannner, during Hamíd Khán's feast, so that he might look on them as a set of idiots, and ceasing to regard them with any apprehension, might pay no further attention to them. When the Afgháns went into Hamíd Khán's presence, they acted in an unusual and strange manner. Some fastened their shoes to their girdles, some placed their shoes in the recess above Hamíd Khán's head. Hamíd Khán inquired what this meant. They answered, "We are taking precautions against thieves." After a short time the Afgháns said to Hamíd Khán, "Your carpet is wonderfully coloured; if you give us each a blanket from it, we will send it as a rarity to our native land of Roh, to make caps for our children, that the inhabitants of the world may know that we are in the service of Hamíd Khán, and are treated with much dignity, honour, and respect." Hamíd Khán smiled, and said in reply, "I will make you presents of the most costly articles for rarities." And as they were bringing round trays containing perfumes, the Afgháns licked the scent bottles, and ate the flowers. They opened the leaves which covered the pán. First they ate the lime, and when this had heated their mouths, they chewed the pán afterwards, and in other respects conducted themselves in an extraordinary manner.