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)

34 AN EMAUM-BAARAII.

guided by the circumstances of the founder.
The floor is matted with the date-leaf mats, in
common use in India, on which is spread a
shutteringhie (cotton carpet), and over this a
clean white calico covering, on which the as-
sembled party are seated, during the several
periods of collecting together to remember their
leaders : these meetings are termed Mudgelluss
(mourning assemblies). It would be esteemed
indecorous or disrespectful to the Emaums, if
any one in error, called these assemblies Mool-
lakhaut, the usual term for mere worldly visiting.
The Tazia is placed against the wall on the
side facing Mecca, under a canopy of rich em-
broidery. A reading-desk, or pulpit (mhem-
bur), is placed in a convenient situation, for
the reader to face Mecca, and his voice to be
heard by the whole assembly of people; it is
constructed of silver, ivory, ebony, &c. to
correspond with the Tazia, if possible : the
steps are covered sometimes with gold-cloth,
or broad-cloth of black, or green, if a Syaad's
property, being the colour worn by that race for
mourning. The shape of a mhembur is a flight