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)

316 COMMANDS OF MAHUMUD

of my folly. I shall be ashamed to speak on
the subject when we meet."

I was anxious to find out the origin of se-
cluding females in the Mussulmaun societies of
Hindoostaun, as I could find no example in the
Mosaic law, which appears to have been the
pattern Mahumud followed generally in domestic
habits. I am told by the best possible authority,
that the first step towards the seclusion of
females, occurred in the life of Mahumud, by
whose command the face and figure of women
were veiled on their going from home, in conse-
quence of some departure from strict propriety
in one of his wives, (Ayashur, the daughter
of Omir); she is represented to have been a very
beautiful woman, and was travelling with Ma-
humud on a journey in Arabia.

" The beautiful Ayashur, on her camel, was
separated from the party; she arrived at the
serai (inn, or halting-place) several hours after
they had encamped, and declared that her delay
was occasioned by the loss of a silver bangle
from her ancle, which after some trouble she
had discovered, and which she produced in a