A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c15.49

c15.49

“There may be seen in the train of the Sultan about a thousand ordinary horses in gold trappings, one hundred camels with torch-bearers, three hundred trumpeters, three hundred dancers. . . . The Sultan, riding on a golden saddle, wears a habit embroidered with sapphires, and on his pointed head-dress a large diamond; he also carries a suit of gold armour inlaid with sapphires, and three swords mounted in gold. . . . The brother of the Sultan rides on a golden bed, the canopy of which is covered with velvet and ornamented with precious stones. . . . Mahmud sits on a golden bed, with a silken canopy to it and a golden top, drawn by four horses in gilt harness. Around him are crowds of people, and before him many singers and dancers. . . .