A History of Agriculture in India v2.c58.s3.2

v2.c58.s3.2

Shahab-ud-din, the author of *Masaliku-l Absar*, states, 'At the court of this prince, there are maintained 1,200 physicians; 10,000 falconers who ride on horseback and carry birds trained for hawking; 300 beaters go in front and put up the game; 3,000 dealers in articles required for hawking accompany him when he goes out hunting; 500 table companions dine with him. He supports 1,200 musicians excluding his slave musicians to the number of 1,000, who are more especially charged with the teaching of music, and 1,000 poets of the three languages, Arabic, Persian and Indian. A repast is served at which 20,000 men are present—Khans, Maliks, Amirs, Sipahsalars, and other officers. At his private meals, i.e. at dinner and supper, the Sultan receives learned lawyers to the number of 200, who share meals with him and converse with him upon learned topics.’ According to the report of the royal cook, 2,500 oxen, 2,000 sheep, and other animals and birds were daily slaughtered for the supplies of the royal kitchen.’ For shikar, he employed 10,000 falconers who rode on horseback in the chase, 3,000 beaters, 3,000 provision dealers, and others. Four collapsible double-storeyed houses were carried in his train by 200 camels, together with tents, canopies and a variety of pavilions. The object of these hunts was to exercise his men and horses, so that they keep fit, and may not be found wanting when times of danger and war arrive.