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)

30 CELEBRATION OF MAHURRUM.

departed excellence, commences on the first
day of the Moon (Mahurrum). The Mussul-
maun year has twelve moons ; every third year
one moon is added, which regulation, I fancy,
renders their years, in a chronological point of
view, very nearly equal with those of Europe.
Their day commences and ends when the stars
are first visible after sunset.

The first day of Mahurrum invariably brings
to my recollection, the strongly impressed ideas
of " The Deserted Village." The profound
quiet and solemn stillness of an extensively
populated native city, contrasted with the in-
cessant bustle usual at all other times, are too
striking to Europeans to pass by unheeded.
This cessation of the animated scene, however,
is not of long duration ; the second day presents
to the view vast multitudes of people parading
backwards and forwards, on horseback, in pal-
kies, and on foot, through the broad streets
and roadways, arrayed in their several mourn-
ing garbs, speeding their way to the Emaum-
baarahs of the great men, and the houses of
friends, to pay the visit of respect (zeearut),