Storia do Mogor 214.4

214.4

These three orders of mace-bearers also add to the pomp and parade when the king holds audience. They are in addition to the other soldiers who are posted all round the royal courtyard. On such occasions there are nine elephants highly caparisoned and decorated, followed each by ten others, male and female. The nine chief elephants remain until the end of the audience ; the others that accompany them, after making their obeisance, withdraw. Besides the elephants there are nine horses saddled and fitted with beautiful trappings. During the reign of Shahjahan the retinue was as large again. Especially was this seen after any prince had left that emperor's court, taking with him as many as two hundred thousand men. Yet it seemed as if not a single person had gone away. This town lies near thirty-one degrees forty-five minutes of latitude, and one hundred and twenty-three of longitude. Once a week all the inhabitants, great and small, are obliged to attend and mount guard outside and inside the fortress. When anyone quits the service he has to give up two months' pay before getting his discharge. As for the rest of what is due to these men, it is made over to them in old clothes, and even these are valued at high rates, and are obtained with the greatest difficulty.