Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s3.t2.5

c7.s3.t2.5

The serious business commenced after sunset when the musicians and dancers began their performance, and the wine cups went round. When the performers had stirred the emotions of the audience to fever heat, gold and silver were frequently showered on them at intervals. In the small hours of the morning the whole scene began to fade away before the weary eyes, and people dropped into sleep through sheer exhaustion.² Entertainments on these broad lines were a regular feature of official celebrations. Certain festival days were fixed for public *Jashns*. When State envoys or any distinguished guest arrived, similar celebrations were held. The Mughal Emperor Akbar added to the number of existing official celebrations a dozen more from the Persian Calendar.³