‘When an assembly is convened to communicate an event of grief, the invited always sends the provisions to the habitation of the inviter; who is supposed to be too much afflicted to attend to such circumstances.
‘The hour of audience at the Durbar, is generally soon after sun-rising; when all those in the employment of the great personage, attend to make their obeisance. A few are admitted to the presence; the rest wait the great man’s coming out: but, should he not, they must retire without enjoying the sun-shine of his countenance. The modes of salutation, and the different etiquettes, have been so frequently detailed, that here it becomes unnecessary. Indeed, it is not their public, but their private, manners that we are in search of. When the levee, or Durbar, is over, the great man diverts himself with his companions, and intimate friends, till dinner-time. Their amusement consists, during the first part of the day, of desultory conversation, the repetition of poems, &c., and, towards the end, the learned men, poets, &c., are introduced to rehearse their works. Should the evening not be devoted to the zenanah, buffoons, dancing-girls, &c., are summoned to close the entertainment.
‘On joyful occasions, when an entertainment is given, the males assemble in the outer apartments, and the females in the zenanah; the master of the feast exerting himself to the utmost in providing for his guests: indeed, the expences incurred on such occasions are excessive to a fault; even to the utter ruin often of the fortunes of such as give them. First, pawns,[[39]] ottah of roses, flowers of various kinds, together with fried coffee, sooparee,[[40]] cardamoms, ginger mixed with acids, are offered to the guests, and such as may be unprovided with hookahs are supplied with them. After this, sugar and water, boiled up together, forming a kind of sherbet, is presented. Now the taiffa, or dancing women, buffoons, comedians, &c. exhibit for the amusement of the company. After the repast, various kinds of musicians are introduced, fire-works exhibited, drums, noise, and confusion, continuing not unfrequently for three days successively.
[39]. The beetle leaf filled with spices, &c., universally chewed by all classes of the natives.
[40]. The beetle nut.
‘Their burials are performed in the following manner. On the death of a person, all the friends attend, the corpse being put into a winding sheet called cuffin.[[41]] This being covered with a green canopy, the corpse is borne on the shoulder to the grave, in which it is laid, and the dust thrown, without any funeral services being read, as is usual among us. Sweet cakes and bread being distributed to the poor, the whole return to the house of the deceased, where they partake of some refreshment. After this, for three days, no victuals are dressed in the house. On the third day, the whole again assemble, offer up prayers for the manes of the deceased; and a great quantity of victuals being ready, presents of it are sent round to such as attended the funeral, who give it to the poor. They meet again on the tenth and fortieth days, when the apparel of the deceased is given away. On the sixth and twelfth months also, the last being termed the bursee,[[42]] or annual commemoration; which is strictly observed by the children of the deceased during the remainder of their lives.
[41]. May not this be the origin of our coffins?