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)

156 AUDIENCE WITH

and Queen, it was not at the usual hour of
durbar, and I passed through the hall without
making any particular observations, although I
could perceive it was not deficient in the cost-
liness and splendour suited to the former great-
ness of the Indian empire.

After being conveyed through several splendid
apartments, I was conducted to the Queen's
mahul (palace for females), where his Majesty
and the Queen were awaiting my arrival. I
found on my entrance the King seated in the
open air in an arm chair enjoying his hookha ;
the Queen's musnud was on the ground, close by
the side of her venerable husband. Being accus-
tomed to Native society, I knew how to render
the respect due from an humble individual to
personages of their exalted rank. After having
left my shoes at the entrance and advanced to-
wards them, my salaams were tendered, and
then the usual offering of nuzzas, first to the
King and then to the Queen, who invited me to
a seat on her own carpet,—an honour I knew
how to appreciate from my acquaintance with
the etiquette observed on such occasions.