DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15172#0091
VIZIER OF KHYRPOOR.
57
ness not to commit himself by such a step. We
had now a good opportunity of seeing a Belooche
chief on his native soil. He came with a splendid
equipage of tents and carpets, accompanied by three
palankeens, and about 400 men. A set of dancing-
girls were among his suite; and in the evening we
were compelled, against our inclination, to hear
these ladies squall for a couple of hours,, and, what
added to the disgust of the scene, they drank at in-
tervals of the strongest spirits, to clear their voices,
as they said, until nearly intoxicated. It was im-
possible to express any displeasure at this exhi-
bition, since the gala, however much out of taste,
was got up in the hope of adding to our amusement.
The people with us, who now amounted to 150,
were sumptuously entertained by the Nawab, who
kept us with him for two days.
On the morning of the 14th we disembarked
near the small village of Alipoor, and were met
by the Vizier of Meer Roostum Khan, who
had come from Khyrpoor to receive us. His
name was Futteh Khan Ghoree, an aged person,
of mild and affable manners, and of peculiar appear-
ance from a snow-white beard and red hair. Our
reception was cordial and kind ; the vizier assured
us of the high satisfaction with which his master had
heard of our arrival, for he had long desired to draw
closer to the British government, and had never yet
had the good fortune to meet any of its agents. He
said that Meer Roostum Khan did not presume to
put himself on an equality with so potent and great
a nation, but hoped that he might be classed among
57
ness not to commit himself by such a step. We
had now a good opportunity of seeing a Belooche
chief on his native soil. He came with a splendid
equipage of tents and carpets, accompanied by three
palankeens, and about 400 men. A set of dancing-
girls were among his suite; and in the evening we
were compelled, against our inclination, to hear
these ladies squall for a couple of hours,, and, what
added to the disgust of the scene, they drank at in-
tervals of the strongest spirits, to clear their voices,
as they said, until nearly intoxicated. It was im-
possible to express any displeasure at this exhi-
bition, since the gala, however much out of taste,
was got up in the hope of adding to our amusement.
The people with us, who now amounted to 150,
were sumptuously entertained by the Nawab, who
kept us with him for two days.
On the morning of the 14th we disembarked
near the small village of Alipoor, and were met
by the Vizier of Meer Roostum Khan, who
had come from Khyrpoor to receive us. His
name was Futteh Khan Ghoree, an aged person,
of mild and affable manners, and of peculiar appear-
ance from a snow-white beard and red hair. Our
reception was cordial and kind ; the vizier assured
us of the high satisfaction with which his master had
heard of our arrival, for he had long desired to draw
closer to the British government, and had never yet
had the good fortune to meet any of its agents. He
said that Meer Roostum Khan did not presume to
put himself on an equality with so potent and great
a nation, but hoped that he might be classed among