Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s3.t2.12

c7.s3.t2.12

On the return of Humayun from the Bihar campaign, his mother organized a grand banquet in his honour. The soldiers and the market people were specially commanded to decorate their lodgings and shops, which gave the thoroughfares of the city a beautiful appearance. A special throne was constructed in the banquet hall, to receive the Emperor. It was furnished with cushions and pillows of brocade. The State canopy used on this occasion was lined with English brocade and Portuguese velvet and was supported on gilded poles. Other articles of furniture, namely, candle-stands, ewers, wash-basins, goblets, rose-water sprinklers, etc. were all worked in gold and enamel. 7,000 dresses of honour and 12 rows of mules and pack camels, 100 pack horses, and 70 fine stallions were distributed in honour of the occasion. *Vide* G., 28-9. Similar entertainments under Akbar sometimes lasted for eighteen days when thousands of male and female singers and dancers were engaged to perform. *Vide* A.A., II, 309.