Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 9.2.1

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.