Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 9.2
Travels in the Mogul Empire (Constable) 9.2
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- English
9.2.1
A free space, as extensive as may be convenient or practicable, is always kept in front of the royal entrance, and at its extremity there is a large tent called Nagar-kanê, because it contains the trumpets and the cymbals. Close to this tent is another of a large size, called tchauky-kanê, where the Omrahs in rotation mount guard for twenty-four hours, once every week. Most of them, however, order one of their own tents to be pitched in its immediate vicinity, where they find themselves more comfortable and are in greater privacy. Within a short distance of the three other sides of the great square are the tents of officers and others appropiiated to particular purposes, which, unless there be local impediments, are always placed in the same relative situation. Every one of these tents has its particular appellation, but the names are difficult of pronunciation, and as it is not within my scope to teach you the language of the country, it may suffice to state that in one of them are deposited the arms of the King; in a second the rich harnesses; and in a third the vests of brocade, which are the presents generally made by the King. The fruits, the sweetmeats, the Ganges water, the saltpetre with which it is cooled, and the betel, are kept in four other tents.
9.2.2
Betel is the leaf (of which I have spoken elsewhere) which, after it has undergone a certain preparation, is given as a mark of royal favour (like coffee in Turkey), and which when masticated sweetens the breath and reddens the lips. There are fifteen or sixteen other tents which serve for kitchens and their appurtenances; and in the midst of all these are the tents of a great number of officers and eunuchs. There are, lastly, six others, of considerable length, for led horses; and other tents for choice elephants and for the animals employed in hunting; for the birds of prey that invariably accompany the court, and are intended both for show, and for field sports; for the dogs; the leopards for catching antelopes; the nîl-ghaus, or grey oxen, which I believe to be a species of elk; the lions and the rhinoceroses, brought merely for parade; the large Bengale buffaloes, which attack the lion; the tamed antelopes, frequently made to fight in the presence of the King.
9.2.3
The quarters of the Monarch are understood to comprehend not only the great square, but the numerous tents situated without the square, to which I have just drawn your attention. Their position is always in the centre of the army, or as much so as the nature of the ground will admit. You will easily conceive that there is something very striking and magnificent in these royal quarters, and that this vast assemblage of red tents, placed in the centre of a numerous army, produces a brilliant effect when seen from some neighbouring eminence ; especially if the country be open, and offer no obstruction to the usual and regular distribution of the troops.
9.2.4
The first care of the Grand Quarter-master is, as before remarked, to choose a suitable situation for the royal tents. The Am-kas is elevated above every other tent, because it is the landmark by which the order and disposition of the whole army is regulated. He then marks out the royal bazars, from which all the troops are supplied. The principal bazar is laid out in the form of a wide street, running through the whole extent of the army, now on the right, then on the left of the Am-kas, and always as much as possible in the direction of the next day's encampment. The other royal bazars, which are neither so long nor so spacious, generally cross this one, some on one side and some on another side of the King's quarters. All of them are distinguished by extremely long poles [cannes très-hautes] stuck in the ground at the distance of three hundred paces from each other, bearing red standards, and surmounted with the tails of the Great Tibet cows, which have the appearance of so many periwigs. The quarter-master then proceeds to plan the quarters for the Omrahs, that there may always be the same observance of regularity, and that each nobleman may be placed at his usual distance from the royal square, whether on the right or on the left, so that no individual may be permitted to change the place allotted to him, or which he expressed a wish to occupy before the commencement of the expedition.
9.2.5
The description I have given of the great square is, in many particulars, applicable to the quarters of the Omrahs and Rajas. In general they also have two peiche-kanis, with a square of kanates enclosing their principal tents and those of their wives. Outside this square are likewise pitched the tents of their officers and troopers, and there is a bazar in the form of a street, consisting of small tents belonging to the followers of the army, who supply it with forage, rice, butter, and other necessary articles of life. The Omrahs need not, therefore, always have recourse to the royal bazars, where indeed everything may be procured, almost the same as in the capital. A long pole is planted at both ends of each bazar, and distinguished by a particular standard, floating in the air, as high as those of the royal bazars, in order that the different quarters may be readily discerned from a distance. The chief Omrahs and great Rajas pride themselves on the loftiness of their tents, which must not, however, be too conspicuous, lest the King perceive it and command that the tents be thrown down, as he did on our late march. For the same reason, the outside must not be entirely red, there being none but the royal tents that can be of that colour; and as a mark of proper respect every tent has also to front the Am-kas, or quarters of the King.
9.2.6
The remainder of the ground, between the quarters of the Monarch, those of the Omrahs, and the bazars, is filled with the tents of Mansebdars, or inferior Omrahs, of tradespeople of every description, of civil officers and other persons, who for various reasons follow the army; and, last of all, the tents of those who serve in the light and heavy artillery. The tents are therefore very numerous, and cover a large extent of ground; though with respect both to their number and the space occupied by them very extravagant notions are formed. When the army halts in a fine and favourable country, which leaves it at liberty to adopt the well-understood rules and order of a circular encampment, I do not believe that this space measures more than two leagues, or perhaps two leagues and a half in circumference, including here and there several spots of unoccupied ground. It should be mentioned, however, that the heavy artillery, which requires a great deal of room, is commonly a day or two in advance of the army.
9.2.7
What is said of the strange confusion that prevails in the camp, and of the alarm thereby occasioned to a newcomer, is also much exaggerated. A slight acquaintance with the method observed in the quartering of the troops will enable you to go, without much difficulty, from place to place as your business may require; the King's quarters, the tents and standards peculiar to every Omrah, and the ensigns and 'periwigs' of the royal bazars, which are all seen from a great distance, serving, after a little experience, for unerring guides. Sometimes, indeed, notwithstanding all these precautions, there will be uncertainty and disorder, particularly on the arrival of the army at the place of encampment in the morning, when every one is actively employed in finding and establishing his own quarters. The dust that arises often obscures the marks I have mentioned, and it becomes impossible to distinguish the King's quarter, the different bazars, or the tents of the several Omrahs. Your progress is besides liable to be impeded by the tents then pitching, and by the cords extended by inferior Omrahs, who have no peiche-kanes, and by Mansabdars to mark their respective boundaries, and to prevent not only the public path from passing through, but the fixing of any strange tent near their own, where their wives, if accompanying them, reside. A horde of their lusty varlets, with cudgels in their hands, will not suffer these cords to be removed or lowered ;
9.2.8
you then naturally retrace your steps, and find that while you have been employed in unavailing efforts to pass at one end, your retreat has been cut off at the other. There is now no means of extricating your laden camels but by menace and entreaty ; outrageous passion, and calm remonstrance ; seeming as if you would proceed to blows, yet carefully abstaining from touching any one ; promoting a violent quarrel between the servants of both parties, and afterward reconciling them for fear of the consequences, and in this way taking advantage of a favourable moment to pass your camels.