[25]. These are small buildings answering the purpose of our churches, and many have large tracts of land attached for the maintanence of the priests.
‘It is as incumbent on women, as on men, to visit Mecca; however, they generally (I mean ladies of rank) leave orders to depute a representative to perform the pilgrimage after their death. The lower classes, putting on the dress of faqueerens[[26]], or religious mendicants, frequently undertake the pilgrimage in company with their husbands or other relatives, after the accomplishment of which they are termed hudjeecau.[[27]] The various ceremonies required in prayer, demand a long apprenticeship before a proficiency can be acquired. Indeed, so particular are the rules, prescribed for every inflexion of the body, that a new disciple has to undergo as severe a drilling as falls to the lot of a raw countryman in his progress through the various stages of military discipline. One single false motion renders the whole ineffectual, and a re-commencement becomes absolutely necessary.
[26]. Faqueer is a male mendicant, and faqueeren a female.
[27]. The designation of hudjee (commonly pronounced hadjee) is assumed by all who have visited the shrine of the prophet: hence the term hudjeecau.
‘People of respectability seldom have more slave-girls than are absolutely requisite for the common purposes of the house; viz. generally two for the cook-room, one who has charge of the provision, &c., one for the wardrobe and to attend the mistress’s toilette, &c., and two or three others for general purposes. There are, besides these, two or three women hired, (who are termed asseel,[[28]]) at the rate of two or three rupees per month, exclusive of food; one of these is always stationed as a kind of running sentry at the door of the zennanah,[[29]] for the purpose of conveying messages. There may be, besides these, one or two Mogulanees[[30]] to instruct the rest in the arts of sewing, &c. The above-mentioned number are equal to all the purposes of the house; where there are more, confusion generally reigns.
[28]. The word asseel literally means perfect, real, original, unadulterated; and here implies superiority.