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)

380 THE MAYNDIIIE PROCESSION.

the male assembly that, " Dullha is wanted ;"
and he then enters the zeenahnah court-yard,
amidst the deafening sounds of trumpets and
drums from without, and a serenade from the
female singers within. He seats himself on
the stool placed for him close to the purdah,
and obeys the several commands he receives
from the hidden females, with childlike docility.
The moist mayndhie is then tied on with ban-
dages by hands he cannot see, and, if time ad-
mits, one hour is requisite to fix the dye bright
and permanent on the hands and feet. During
this delay, the hour is passed in lively dialogues
with the several purdahed dames, who have all
the advantage of seeing though themselves un-
seen ; the singers occasionally lauding his praise
in extempore strains, after describing the love-
liness of his bride, (whom they know nothing
about), and foretelling the happiness which
awaits him in his marriage, but which, in the
lottery, may perhaps prove a blank. The sugar-
candy, broken into small lumps, is presented
by the ladies whilst his hands and feet are fast
bound in the bandages of mayndhie; but as