Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

ORIGIN OF MAHURRUM. 21

Hosein and his family having concluded
their morning devotions, he first inquired and
learned the name of the place, on which their
tents were pitched, and then imparted the subject
of his last night's dream, " that his grandsire
had appeared to him, and pronounced that his
soul would be at peace with him ere that day
closed." Again he fell on his knees in devout
prayer, from which he rose only to observe the
first warnings of an approaching army, by the
thick clouds of dust which darkened the hori-
zon; and before the evening closed upon the
scene, Hosein, with every male of his small
party capable of bearing arms, had been hur-
ried to their final rest. One son of Hosein's,
insensible from fever at the time, was spared
from the sacrifice, and, with the females and
young children, taken prisoners to the King's
palace at Shawm.

The account given by historians of this awful
battle, describes the courage and intrepidity of
Hosein's small band, in glowing terms of praise;
having fought singly, and by their desperate
bravery " each arm (they say) levelled his