History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c12.s1.22

c12.s1.22

The public dinner which, according to the *Masālik*, was attended by 20,000 persons, was a more complicated affair. The invitees assembled in the Hall of Audience where food was brought by the royal servants. The latter were preceded by the *naqīb-al-nuqbah* with a gold staff in his hand and he was followed by his deputy and other *naqībs* who shouted *Bismillah* as they entered the Hall of Audience. As soon as the voice of the *naqībs* was heard, all rose from their places except the Sultan. When the food was placed upon the floor, the *naqībs* stood in rows and their chief began to pronounce eulogies upon the Sultan. Then he kissed the ground and so did the other *naqībs* as well as the guests present. Nobody was allowed to move or speak until the chief *naqib* had finished his eulogy of the Sultan. The names of the guests were recorded by clerks (*mutsaddis*) and the list was taken by a scion of the royal family to the Sultan who appointed one of the nobles present to take charge of the dinner. The guests were seated in the prescribed manner. In the centre sat the Qazis, Khatibs, Shaikhs, Sayyids and other learned men and then the king’s relatives and the principal nobles. Every guest occupied his allotted seat to avoid confusion. The keepers of drinks (*Sharabdārs*) entered first with cups of gold, silver and copper full of syrup. When the drinks had been disposed of, the *Hājibs* cried out *Bismillah* and the whole party fell to the viands, served in the plates before them. When the dinner was over, betel leaves and nuts were offered, and every one present got a handful of nuts and fifteen betel leaves tied together by a thread of red silk. This was followed by the usual ejaculation of the *Hājib* when all stood up. The *amir* in charge of the dinner kissed the ground and the guests did likewise.