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 RUTT. 79

elephants, richly caparisoned. And, lastly, the
women of inferior rank and female slaves, in
rutts (covered carriages) such as are in general
use throughout India. These rutts are drawn
by bullocks, having bells of a small size strung
round their neck, which as they move have a
novel and not unpleasing sound, from the
variety of tones produced. The rutt is a broad-
wheeled carriage, the body and roof forming
two cones, one smaller than the other, covered
with scarlet cloth, edged, fringed, and bordered
with gold or amber silk trimmings. The per-
sons riding in rutts are seated on cushions
placed flat on the surface of the carriage (the
Asiatic style of sitting at all times) and not
on raised seats, the usual custom in Europe.
The entrance to these rutts is from the front,
like the tilted carts of England, where a thick
curtain of corresponding colour and mate-
rial conceals the inmates from the public gaze;
a small space is left between this curtain and
the driver, where one or two women servants
are seated as guards, who are privileged by age
and ugliness to indulge in the liberty of seeing