Travels in India (Tavernier) 24.1.8

24.1.8

It is the principal nobles who mount guard every Monday — each in his turn, and they are not relieved before the end of a week. There are some of these nobles who command 5000 or 6000 horse, and they encamp under their tents around the town. When they mount guard each goes from his home to the rendezvous, but when they leave it they march in good order across the bridge, and from thence by the main street they assemble in the square in front of the balcony. In the van you see ten or twelve elephants marching, more or fewer according to the rank of him who goes off guard. There are some among them bearing cages (howdahs) which somewhat resemble the body of a small coach, and there are others which only carry their driver, and another man instead of the cage, who holds a sort of banner.