His Majesty looks upon fruits as one of the greatest gifts of the Creator, and pays much attention to them. The horticulturists of I´rán and Túrán have, therefore, settled here, and the cultivation of trees is in a flourishing state. Melons and grapes have become very plentiful and excellent; and water-melons, peaches, almonds, pistachios, pomegranates, &c., are everywhere to be found. Ever since the conquest of Kábul, Qandahár, and Kashmír, loads of fruits are imported; throughout the whole year the stores of the dealers are full, and the bázárs well supplied. Muskmelons come in season, in Hindústán, in the month of Farwardín (February—March), and are plenty in Urdíbihisht (March–April). They are delicious, tender, opening, sweet smelling, especially the kinds called náshpátí, bábáshaikhí, 'alíshérí, alchah, barg i nai, dúd i chirágh, &c. They continue in season for two months longer. In the beginning of Sharíwar, (August) they come from Kashmír, and before they are out of season, plenty are brought from Kábul; during the month of A´zar (November) they are imported by the caravans from Badakhshán, and continue to be had during Dai (December.) When they are in season in Zábulistán, good ones are also obtainable in the Panjáb; and in Bhakkar and its vicinity they are plentiful in season, except during the forty cold days of winter. Various kinds of grapes are here to be had from Khurdád (May) to Amurdád (July), whilst the markets are stocked with Kashmír grapes during Shahríwar. Eight sérs of grapes sell in Kashmír at one dám, and the cost of the transport is two rupees per man. The Kashmírians bring them on their backs in conical baskets, which look very curious. From Mihr (September) till Urdíbihisht grapes come from Kábul, together with cherries,* which his Majesty calls sháhálú, seedless pomegranates, apples, pears, quinces, guavas, peaches, apricots, girdálús, and álúchas, &c., many of which fruits grow also in Hindústán. From Samarqand even they bring melons, pears, and apples.

Whenever his Majesty wishes to take wine, opium, or kúknar (he calls the latter sabras), the servants in charge place before him stands of fruits; he eats a little, but most is distributed. The fruits are marked according to their degree of excellence: melons of the first quality are marked with a line drawn round the top; those of the second, with two lines; and so on.

In this department Mansabdárs, Ahadís, and other soldiers are employed; the pay of a foot soldier varies from 140 to 100 d.

The following tables contain particulars regarding the names, seasons, taste, and prices, of various fruits.