[19] The Kos is a measure of distance nearly equal to two English miles, but varying in different provinces.
[20] The Muhammadans, after being cured of sickness or wounds, also their women, after recovery from child-bed, always bathe in luke-warm water; which is called the ablution of cure.
[21] A mere novice in the language would say that Mir Amman writes "bad grammar" here! He uses the singular pronoun "wuh" instead of "we." Now Mir Amman distinctly tells us that he gives us the language as it is. He did not make it—and, furthermore, nothing is more common among Hindustani writers than to use the singular for the plural, and "vice versâ."—Vide Grammar, page 114.
[22] Mr. Ferdinand Smith adds the following note: "How proud the slave seems of his chains!—but such is the nature of Asiatic minds, under the baneful influence of Asiatic despotism." Now, this criticism is absurd enough. Have not we in England the titles of "Ladies in waiting," "Grooms," &c., innumerable, which honours are borne by our nobility and gentry?
[23] The family of Taimur, or Tamerlane; a pageant of which royal race still sits on the throne of Dilli, under the protection of the British government. He is happier, and has more comforts of life, than his family have had for the last century.
[24] Literally, "why explain that which is self evident" a Persian saying.
[25] The founder of the Jut principality; they were once very powerful in Upper-Hindustan. Ranjit Sing, Raja of Bhartpur at the commencement of the present century, who so gallantly defended that place against our arms, was a son of Suraj Mal, who was killed while reconnoitring the Mughal army. The Jats are the best agriculturists in India, and good soldiers in self defence; for since the spirit which Suraj Mal infused, evaporated, they have always preferred peace to war. They built some of the strongest places in India.
[26] Ahmad Khan, the Durrani or Afghan, became king of Kabul after the death of Nadir Shah. He was the father of Taimur Shah, who kept Upper Hindustan in alarm for many years with threats of invasion. Shuja'u-l-Mulk, whom we seated on the throne of Kabul some fifteen years ago, was descended from him.
[27] 'Azim-abid is the Muhammadan name of Patna. On the Muhammadan conquest, many of the Hindu names of cities were changed for Muhammadan names, such as Jahangir-abad or Jahangir-nagar for Dacca, Akbar-abad for Agra, Shahjahan-abad for Dilli, &c.
[28] Literally, "water and grain."