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 2) (London, 1832)

THE PAADSHAH BEGUM. 75

out in such style as is most likely to proclaim
their exalted station in life. I cannot, perhaps,
explain this part of my subject better than by
giving a brief description of the suwaarree (travel-
ling retinue) of the Paadshah Begum, which
passed my house at Lucknow on the occasion
of her visit to the Durgah of Huzerut Abas
Ali Kee, after several years strictly confining
herself to the palace.

By Paadshah is meant "King;"—Begum,
" Lady." The first wife of the King is distin-
guished by this title from every other he may
have married ; it is equivalent to that of "Queen"
in other countries. With this title the Paad-
shah Begum enjoys also many other marks of
royal distinction ; as, for instance, the dunkhah
(kettle-drums) preceding her suwaarree ; a pri-
vilege, I believe, never allowed by the King
to any other female of his family. The em-
broidered chattah (umbrella) ; the afthaadah
(embroidered sun); and chowries of the pea-
cock's feathers, are also out-of-door distinctions
allowed only to this lady and the members
of the royal family. But to my description :—