HOUSES OF THE AMEERS. 131 



doors in either story, which are filled with open 

 work, in a great variety of tasteful patterns, 

 excluding glare, and at the same time main- 

 taining ventilation. Tlie ceilings are formed 

 of light wood- work ; the pieces seldom exceed- 

 ing twelve inches in length by three in width, 

 placed in a vast variety of forms, according to 

 the taste and fancy of the artificer ; and in the 

 dwellings of the wealthy, ornamented with 

 painting and gilding. The principal reception- 

 room, or Dewcm-i-Aiwi, is either entirely open on 

 one side or has a screen of open wood- work, con- 

 sisting of small pieces, set in a variety of fanci- 

 ful patterns. The walls are generally of great 

 thickness, for the purpose of resisting the heat, 

 and hollow spaces are left in all of them, 

 wherein to place household utensils, which are 

 always of the commonest description. Even 

 the sovereign himself is in this respect little 

 better off than many of his people. When the 

 Khyrpoor Residency was abolished, the Meer 

 purchased the Resident's fm^niture, table ap- 

 pliances, &c., but these have nearly all dis- 

 appeared, for want of some one to look after 

 the property ; some battered dishes, tliat once 

 were plated, arc still in use, but a handsome 



