Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s15.t1.1

v2.c27.s15.t1.1

"The Shah advanced alone amidst the ranks of his slaves, riding a horse . . . There were four bodies of slaves,—each of 3,000 men, —one division in front, one behind, and one on each side. Each division of them wore a hat of a different style. It was prohibited for a slave belonging to one division to ride with another division; he must keep with his own set . . . on pain of such severe beating that he was left half-dead. They rode fast horses of Kābuli breed, and guided them, each in his own station, with a grave demeanour. They moved at the distance of a musket-shot from the Shah’s person, all their faces turned towards him. The Shah rode alone in the middle, with an open space around him.