Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s5.20

c7.s5.20

In numerous places Malik Muhammad Jaisi introduces his readers to Hindu comforts. In one place, for instance, the scene is laid in Simhala (which, as we have emphasized in the Introduction, applies to the Doab) in the palace of the father of Padumavat. The hero and heroine pass their wedding night after marriage in a room of the palace. The whole description breathes of an atmosphere of reality and reveals delicate taste and refinement. We read here about statuettes carved in stone pillars, depicting scenes from the everyday life of the people. We pass a perfume-seller who offers perfume with one hand and carries shaded light in the other. Others attend us with musk, vermillion, betel-leaves, flowers, and so on. Their execution impresses us with its perfection and life-likeness. In the middle of the room we notice the bed of the married couple. It is furnished with pillows full of carded silk. Flowers are strewn over it. There are pillars around the bridal bed with wick-lamps made out of shells, covered with red shades and inlaid with precious stones. The floor is laid with rich and beautiful carpets.¹ This is a scene from the life of the Hindu aristocracy. For other scenes, we shall refer to Babur’s own descriptions of Gwalior and Chanderi. For instance, we have already referred to the extensive gardens round Dholpur which shaded the roads that led to it.