I cannot sufficiently describe the wonderful power of this talisman of knowledge [music]. It sometimes causes the beautiful creatures of the harem of the heart to shine forth on the tongue, and sometimes appears in solemn strains by means of the hand and the chord. The melodies then enter through the window of the ear and return to their former seat, the heart, bringing with them thousands of presents. The hearers, according to their insight, are moved to sorrow or to joy. Music is thus of use to those who have renounced the world and to such as still cling to it.
His Majesty pays much attention to music, and is the patron of all who practise this enchanting art. There are numerous musicians at court, Hindús, I´ránís, Túránís, Kashmírís, both men and women. The court musicians are arranged in seven divisions, one for each day in the week. When his Majesty gives the order, they let the wine of harmony flow, and thus increase intoxication in some, and sobriety in others.
A detailed description of this class of people would be too difficult; but I shall mention the principal musicians.
| 1. | Miyán Tánsen,* of Gwáliár. A singer like him has not been in India for the last thousand years. |
| 2. | Bábá Rámdás,* of Gwáliár, a singer. |
| 3. | Subhán Khán, of Gwáliár, a singer. |
| 4. | Srigyán Khán, of Gwáliár, a singer. |
| 5. | Miyán Chand, of Gwáliár, a singer. |
| 6. | Bichitr Khán, brother of Subhán Khán, a singer. |
| 7. | Muhammad Khán Ḍháṛí, sings.* |
| 8. | Bír Mandal Khán, of Gwáliár, plays on the sarmandal. |
| 9. | Báz Bahádur, ruler of Málwah, a singer without rival [p. 428]. |
| 10. | Shiháb Khán, of Gwáliár, performs on the bín. |
| 11. | Dáúd Ḍháṛí, sings. |
| 12. | Sarod Khán, of Gwáliár, sings. |
| 13. | Miyán Lál,* of Gwáliár, sings. |
| 14. | Tántarang Khán, son of Miyán Tánsen, sings. |
| 15. | Mullá Is-háq Ḍháṛí, sings. |
| 16. | Ustá Dost, of Mashhad, plays on the flute (nai). |
| 17. | Nának Jarjú, of Gwáliár, a singer. |
| 18. | Purbín Khán, his son, plays on the bín. |
| 19. | Súr Dás, son of Bábú Rám Dás, a singer. |
| 20. | Chánd Khán, of Gwáliár, sings. |
| 21. | Rangsen, of A´grah, sings. |
| 22. | Shaikh Dáwan Ḍháṛí, performs on the karaná. |
| 23. | Rahmat ullah, brother of Mullá Is-háq (No. 15), a singer. |
| 24. | Mír Sayyid 'Alí, of Mashhad, plays on the ghichak. |
| 25. | Ustá Yúsuf, of Harát, plays on the ṭambúrah. |
| 26. | Qásim, surnamed Koh-bar.* He has invented an instrument, intermediate between the qübüz and the rubáb. |
| 27. | Tásh Beg, of Qipcháq, plays on the qübüz. |
| 28. | Sulṭán Háfiz Husain, of Mashhad, chants. |
| 29. | Bahrám Qulí, of Harát, plays on the ghichak. |
| 30. | Sulṭán Háshim, of Mashhad, plays on the ṭambúrah. |
| 31. | Ustá Sháh Muhammad, plays on the surná. |
| 32. | Ustá Muhammad Amín, plays on the ṭambúrah. |
| 33. | Háfiz Khwájah 'Alí, of Mashhad, chants. |
| 34. | Mír 'Abdullah, brother of Mír 'Abdul Hai, plays the Qánún. |
| 35. | Pírzádah,* nephew of Mír Dawám, of Khurásán, sings and chants. |
| 36. | Ustá Muhammad Husain, plays the ṭambúrah.* |