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)

304 THE ZEENAHNAH.

LETTER XII.

The Zeenahnah.—Its interior described.—Furniture, deco-
rations, &c.—The Purdah (curtains).—Bedstead.—The
Musnud (seat of honour).—Mirrors and ornamental fur-
niture disused.—Display on occasions of festivity.—Ob-
servations on the Mussulmaun Ladies.—Happiness in
their state of seclusion.—Origin of secluding females by
Mahumud.—Anecdote.—Tamerlane's command prohibit-
ing females being seen in public.—The Palankeen.—
Bearers.—Their general utility and contentcdness of
disposition.—Habits peculiar to Mussulmaun Ladies.—
Domestic arrangements of a Zeenahnah.- -Dinner and its
accompanying observances.—The Lota and Lugguns.—
The Hookha.—Further investigation of the customs
adopted in Zeenahnahs.

Before I introduce the ladies of a Mussul-
maun zeenahnah to your notice, I propose giving
you a description of their apartments.

Imagine to yourself a tolerably sized quad-
rangle, three sides of which is occupied' by
habitable buildings, and the fourth by kitchens.