Storia do Mogor 203.4.2

203.4.2

Another festival is also celebrated, which they call Hid Corban ('Id-i-qurbān) — that is to say, ' the Festival of Sacrifice '; it comes at the end of their Lent. On that day, at nine o'clock, the king comes forth from his palace with great display and majesty, and visits the great mosque, where the chief qāzī awaits him, standing on a platform with seven steps. Behind him is a slave with a drawn sword in his hand, held upright. After the first ceremonies the qāzī is required to announce in a loud voice the names of all the Mogul kings, beginning with Taimūr-i-lang, [and] the years of their reign. All this he must utter with much force and eloquence. On coming to that of the then reigning king he must make a panegyric of him, with which he never fails to mix much flattering praise. He gives him the title of propagator and conservator of the Mahomedan faith. Finally, he applauds all his doings, exalting also to the best of his power his valour and equity. In giving out this discourse the qāzī needs to be very careful, and display much presence of mind, for if he made any mistake and omitted something, the executioner stands ready at his back to remove his head.