Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 5.5.8

5.5.8

Although the King, when seated in the hall of Gosel-Kane, is engaged about such affairs as I have mentioned, yet the same state is maintained for the most part as in the Am-Kas; but being late in the day, and the adjoining court being small, the cavalry of the Omrahs does not pass in review. There is this peculiar ceremony in the evening assembly, that all the Mansebdars who are on guard pass before the King to salute him with much form. Before them are borne with great ceremony that which they call the Kours, to wit, many figures of silver, beautifully made, and mounted on large silver sticks: two of them represent large fish; two others a horrible and fantastic animal called Eiedelia; others are the figures of two lions; others of two hands and others of scales; and several more which I cannot here enumerate, to which the Indians attach a certain mystic meaning. Among the Kours and the Mansebdars are mixed many Gourse-berdars, or mace-bearers chosen for their tall and handsome persons, and whose business it is to preserve order in assemblies, and to carry the King's orders, and execute his commands with the utmost speed.