Many people are desirous of building houses; but honesty and conscientiousness are rare, especially among traders. His Majesty has carefully inquired into their profits and losses, and has fixed the prices of articles in such a manner, that both parties are satisfied.

Red sandstone costs 3 d. per man. It is obtainable in the hills of Fathpúr Síkṛí, His Majesty's residence, and may be broken from the rocks at any length or breadth. Clever workmen chisel it so skilfully, as no turner could do with wood; and their works vie with the picture book of Mání [the great painter of the Sassanides]. Pieces of red standstone (sang i gulúlah), broken from the rocks in any shape, are sold by the p'harí, which means a heap of such stones, without admixture of earth, 3 gaz long, 2½ g. broad, and 1 g. high. Such a heap contains 172 mans, and has a value of 250 d., i. e., at the rate of 1 d. 11¼ j. per man.

Bricks are of three kinds: burnt, half burnt, unburnt. Though the first kind are generally made very heavy, they weigh in the average three sers, and cost 30 d. per mille. The second class cost 24 d., and the third 10 d. per thousand.*

Wood. Eight kinds of wood are in general use. 1. Sísauṉ, unrivalled for its beauty and durability. A block 1 Iláhí gaz long, and 8 Ṭassújes broad and high, costs 15 d. 6 j. But if the height be only 5 or 6 Ṭ., 11 d. 10¾ j. Other sizes according to the same proportion. 2. Nazhú, called in Hindí Jíḍh.* A beam, 10 Ṭ. broad and high, costs per gaz 5 d. 13¾ j.; and a half size beam, from 7 to 9 Ṭ. broad and high, costs per gaz 5 d. 3¾ j. 3. Dasang (?), called in Hindí Karí; a beam 3 Ṭ. broad, and 4 gaz long, costs 5 d. 17½ j. 4. Ber,* 1 Ṭ. broad and high, 4 gaz long, 5 d. 17¾ j.; so also Tút, or Mulbery. 5. Mughílán (Babúl), of the same cubic content as No. 4., 5 d. 2 j. 6. Sirs, size as before, 10 d. 4 j. 7. Dayál, same size, first quality 8 d. 22¼ j.; second quality, 8 d. 6½ j. 8. Bakáyin, same size, 5 d. 2 j.

Gaj i Shírín, or sweet limestone. There is a quarry near Bahírah. When a merchant brings it, it costs 1 R. per three mans; but if any one sends his own carriers, only 1 d. Sangín qal'í, per man 5 d. 5 j. Çadafí 5 d. Chúnah, or quick lime, 2 d. per man; it is mostly boiled out of kangur, a kind a solid earth resembling stone in hardness.

Iron cramps, if tinned, 13 for 18 d.; plain ones, for 6 d.

Iron door-knockers, from Persia and Túrán, tinned; large ones, 8 d. per pair; small ones, 4 d. Indian do., tinned, 5½ d.; plain ones, 4 d. 12 j.

Gul Mekh (large nails with broad heads), 12 d. per ser. Dínárínails, 5 d. per ser. Gogah, or small nails, tinned, first quality 7 d. for one hundred; second quality, 5 d.; smallest, 4 d.

Screws and nuts, chiefly used for doors and boxes. Tinned, 12 d. per ser; plain, 4 d.

Rings, tinned, 6 d. per ser; plain, 4 d.

K'haprel, or tiles. They are one hand long and ten fingers broad, are burnt, and are used for the roofs of houses, as a protection against heat and cold. Plain ones, 86 d. per mille; enamelled, 30 d. for ten.

Qulbah, or spouts, to lead off water. Three for 2 d.

Báṉs, or bamboo. It is used for spears. First quality, 15 d. for twenty pieces; second quality, 12 d. for do.; third quality, 10 d. for do. The price of some kinds of bamboo is much higher. Thus a peculiar kind is sold at 8 Ashrafís [Muhurs] per piece. They are used for making thrones. Bamboo, at a rupee per piece, is common. Patal is made of the reed which is used for qalams (pens). It is used for covering ceilings. First quality, cleaned, 1½ d. per square gaz; second quality, 1 d. Sometimes they sell patal at 2 d. for pieces 2 gaz long, and 1½ g. broad. Sirkí is made of very fine qalam reeds, looks well, and is very smooth; it is sold at the rate of 1½ d. per pair, 1½ g. long, and 16 girihs broad. The ceilings and walls of houses are adorned with it.

K'has is the sweet-smelling root of a kind of grass, which grows along the banks of rivers. During summer, they make screens of it, which are placed before the door and sprinkled with water. This renders the air cool and perfumed. Price, 1½ R. per man.

Káh i chappar (reeds for thatching) is sold in bundles, which are called in Hindí púlah, per ser from 100 to 10 d.

Bhus, or wheat straw, used for mixing with mortar, 3 d. per man.

Káh i Dáb'h, straw, &c., which is put on roofs, 4 d. for a load of 2 mans.

Múnj, the bark of qalam reeds, used for making ropes to fasten the thatching, 20 d. per man.

San is a plant. Peasants mix it with quicklime. People also make ropes of it for well buckets, &c., 3 d. per man.

Gum, of an inferior quantity, is mixed with quicklime, 70 d. per man.

Sirísh i káhí, or reed glue, is mixed with sweet limestone, 4 d. per ser.

Luk is the flower-bunch of the reed which is used for matting. People burn it, and use it as a candle. It is also mixed with quicklime and Qal'í. Price, 1 R. per man.

Símgil (silver clay) is a white and greasy clay, 1 d. per man. It is used for white-washing houses. It keeps a house cool and looks well. Gil i surhh, or red clay, called in Hindí gerú, 40 d. per man. There is a quarry of it in the hills of Gwáliár.

Glass is used for windows; price, 1 R. for 1¼ s., or one pane for 4 d.