In the 18th year of his reign, His Majesty introduced the branding system [vide p. 140, note 1]. The ranks of the men were also laid down in the best manner, and the classification of the animals belonging to the army was attended to. The requirements for each were noted down, and excellent regulations were issued. The maximum and minimum prices were enquired into by His Majesty, and average prices were fixed. A proper check by accounts was enforced, and regulations on this subject were laid down. The Bakhshís were also freed from the heavy responsibility of bringing new men, and every thing went on smoothly.

1. Horses. They have been divided into seven classes. The rate of their daily food has also been fixed. These seven classes are Arabs, Persian horses, Mujannas, Turkí horses, Yábús, Tázís, and Janglah horses.

The first class are either Arab bred, or resemble them in gracefulness and prowess. They cost 720 dáms per mensem; and get daily 6 s. of grain (the price of which, in the estimates for each animal, is put down at 12 d. per man), 2½ d. of g'hí, 2 d. for sugar, and 3 d. for grass. Also, for a jul, artak, yálposh, girth (His Majesty does not call it tang, but farákhí), gaddí, nakhtahband, qaizah (which the vulgar pronounces qáizah), magasrán, curry-comb, hatt'hí (a bag made of horse hair for washing the horse), towel, páiband, nails, &c., [vide p. 136], 70 d. per mensem, which outlay is called kharj i yaráq i asp (outlay for the harness of the horse). Besides, 60 d. for the saddle, and an apchí (?) every second month; 7 d. per mensem for shoes; and 63 d. for a groom, who gets double this allowance, if he takes charge of two horses. Total, 479 d. But as His Majesty cares for the comfort of the army, and enquires into the satisfactory condition of the soldiers, he increased, in the very beginning, this allowance of 479 d. by 81 d.; and when the value of the Rupee was increased from 35 to 40 dáms, His Majesty granted a second additional allowance of 80 d. This coin [the Rupee] is always counted at 40 d. in salaries. Afterwards, a third additional allowance of 2 R. (80 d.) was ordered to be given for each class of horses, except Janglahs, which horses are now-a-days entirely left out in the accounts.

The second class are horses bred in Persia, or such as resemble Persian horses in shape and bearing. Monthly allowance, 680 d. Of this, 458 d. are necessary expenses, being 21 d. less than the former, viz. 10 d. for the yaráq, 10 d. for saddle and bridle, and 1 d. for shoes. The first increase which was given, amounted to 67 d.; the second, to 75 d.; the third to 80 d. Total 680 d.

The third class, or Mujannas horses, resemble Persian horses [vide p. 140, note 2], and are mostly Turkí, or Persian geldings. Monthly cost 560 d. Of this, 358 d. are for necessaries. The allowance for these horses is 100 d. less than the preceding, viz., 30 d. less for sugar; 30 d. less for saddle, bridle, &c.; 15 d. less in g'hí; 3 d. less for the groom; 2 d. less for shoeing. First increase sanctioned by His Majesty, 72 d.; second, 50 d.; third, 80 d.

The fourth class are horses imported from Túrán; though strong and well-formed, they do not come up to the preceding. Monthly allowance, 480 d. Of this, 298 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 60 d. less than for Mujannas horses, viz., 30 d. less for sugar, 30d. less for grass; 10 d. less for the yaráq; 4 d. less for the saddle, bridle, &c.; 2 d. less for shoeing; 2 d. less for g'hí. But the daily allowance of grain was increased by 2 sers (which amounts to 18 d. per mensem), as the sugar had been left out. First increase 52 d.; second, 50 d.; third 80 d.

The fifth class (yábú horses) are bred in this country, but fall short in strength and size. Their performances also are mostly bad. They are the offspring of Turkí horses with an inferior breed. Monthly cost 400 d. Of this, 239 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 59 d. less than the preceding; viz., 28 d. for g'hí; 15 d. less for the groom; 10 d. less for the yaráq; and 6 d. less for the saddle, bridle, &c. First increase, 41 d.; second increase, 40 d.; third, 80 d.

The last two classes also are mostly Indian breed. The best kind is called Tázís; middling ones, Janglahs; inferior ones, Tátús.

Good mares are reckoned as Tázís; if not, they are counted as Janglahs.

1. Tázís. Monthly cost, 320 d., of which 188 d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 51 d. less than for the Yábú, viz., 18 d. less for grain, as they only get 6 sers per diem; 15 d. less for grass; 10 d. less for g'hí and sugar; 8 d. less for yaráq. First increase, 22 d.; second, 30 d.; third, 80 d.

2. Janglahs. Monthly cost, 240 d., of which 145½ d. are for necessaries. The allowance is 42½ d. less than for Tázís. The daily allowance of grain has been fixed at 5 sers. Hence there are 15 d. less for grass; 9 d. less for grain; 6 d. less for g'hí and molasses; 4½ d. less for the yaráq; 2 d. less for shoeing. First increase, 29½ d.; second 25 d.; third, 40 d.

Formerly, mules were reckoned as Tází horses; but now-a-days, as Janglahs.

For Tátús the monthly expenditure is 160 d.; but this animal is now altogether thrown out.