The Shamsah* of the arch of royalty is a divine light, which God directly transfers to kings, without the assistance of men; and kings are fond of external splendour, because they consider it an image of the Divine glory. I shall mention some of the insignia used at present.

1. The Aurang, or throne, is made of several forms; some are inlaid with precious stones, and others are made of gold, silver, &c. 2. The Chatr, or umbrella, is adorned with the most precious jewels, of which there are never less than seven. 3. The Sáibán is of an oval form, a yard in length, and its handle, like that of the umbrella, is covered with brocade, and ornamented with precious stones. One of the attendants holds it, to keep off the rays of the sun. It is also called A´ftábgír. 4. The Kaukabah,* of which several are hung up before the assembly hall.

These four insignia are only used by kings.

5. The 'Alam, or standard. When the king rides out, not less than five of these are carried along with the Qur,* wrapped up in scarlet cloth bags. On days of festivity, and in battle, they are unfurled. 6. The Chatrtóq, a kind of 'Alam, but smaller than it, is adorned with the tails of Thibetan yaks. 7. The Tumantóq is like the Chatrtóq, but longer. Both insignia are flags of the highest dignity, and the latter is bestowed upon great nobles only. 8. The Jhanḍá is an Indian flag. The Qur necessarily contains a flag of each kind; but on great occasions many are displayed.

Of musical instruments used in the Naqqárahkhánah, I may mention, 1. the Kuwargah, commonly called damámah; there are eighteen pair of them more or less; and they give a deep sound. 2. The naqqárah, twenty pair, more or less. 3. The duhul, of which four are used. 4. The Karaná* is made of gold, silver, brass, and other metals: and they never blow fewer than four. 5. The surná of the Persian and Indian kinds; they blow nine together. 6. The nafír, of the Persian, European, and Indian kinds; they blow some of each kind. 7. The sing is of brass, and made in the form of a cow's horn; they blow two together. 8. The sanj, or cymbal, of which three pair are used.

Formerly the band played four ghaṛís before the commencement of the night, and likewise four ghaṛís before daybreak; now they play first at midnight, when the sun commences his ascent, and the second time at dawn. One ghaṛí before sunrise, the musicians commence to blow the surná, and wake up those that are asleep; and one ghaṛí after sun rise, they play a short prelude, when they beat the kuwargah a little, whereupon they blow the karaná, the nafír, and the other instruments, without, however, making use of the naqqárah; after a little pause the surnás are blown again, the time of the music being indicated by the nafírs. One hour later the naqqárahs commence, when all musicians raise “the auspicious strain.”* After this they go through the following seven performances. 1. The Mursalí, which is the name of a tune played by the mursil; and afterwards the bardásht, which consists likewise of certain tunes, played by the whole band. This is followed by a pianissimo, and a crescendo passing over into a diminuendo; 2. The playing of the four tunes, called ikhláṭí, ibtidáí, shírází, qalandarí nigar qatrah,* or nukhúd qatrah, which occupies an hour. 3. The playing of the old Khwárizmite tunes. Of these his Maiesty has composed more than two hundred, which are the delight of young and old, especially the tunes Jalálsháhí, Mahámír karkat (?), and the Naurózí. 4. The swelling play of the cymbals. 5. The playing of Bá miyán daur. 6. The passing into the tunes azfar, also called ráh i bálá, after which comes a pianissimo. 7. The Khwáriz­mite tunes, played by the Mursil, after which he passes into the mursalí; he then pauses, and commences the blessings on his Majesty, when the whole band strikes up a pianissimo. Then follows the reading of beautiful sentences and poems. This also lasts for an hour. Afterwards the surna-players perform for another hour, when the whole comes to a proper conclusion.

His Majesty has such a knowledge of the science of music as trained musicians do not possess; and he is likewise an excellent hand in performing, especially on the naqqárah.

Mansabdárs, Ahadís, and other troops are employed in this department. The monthly pay of a foot-soldier does not exceed 340, and is not less than 74 dáms.