The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c10.s2.4

v1.c10.s2.4

The royal court and the machinery of the central administration were permanently established at the capital. The emperor used to attend the court regularly when he was not absent on some expedition. Pomp and grandeur befitting a mighty empire characterized the appointments at the reception hall. In the courtyard outside, military captains were on duty with their select platoons of infantry, cavalry, and the elephant corps; very often elephants and horses captured from the defeated enemies were exhibited there as a visible proof of the imperial might.³ Visitors were admitted only by express permission of the royal chamberlain; feudatories and ambassadors had to wait in the ante-room until they were ushered in by the court officials. The visitor found the emperor seated on an imposing throne, wearing a number of costly jewels and ornaments. He was attended by courtesans and dancing-girls, and by servants who acted as his bodyguards. Prominent among those present in the court were vassal chiefs, foreign ambassadors, high military and civil officers, poets, doctors, astrologers, merchant-princes, and guild representatives.