HAMI, OR KUMUL 489 



courtiers ; he kept up considerable state, which befitted 

 his position as ruler, but tended to increase the strain on 

 the resources of the Kumuliks. He possessed stables 

 for his horses, mews for his falcons, and a three-storied 

 harem for his womenfolk, while surrounding the palace 

 was spread a garden of extraordinary luxuriance. 



Mahsud Shah, as a vassal of the Emperor of China, 

 visits Pekin every sixth year, where he acts as personal 

 servant to the Emperor for forty days, in proof of his 

 allegiance. These visits had considerably enlarged his 

 ideas, and were responsible for the introduction of many 

 innovations, quite beyond his means, into the ceremony 

 of his Court. Hence, no doubt, the growing discontent 

 amongst his subj ects, for we gathered that the Prince was 

 more feared than liked, and therefore unpopular. Treated 

 with respect and honour by the Chinese, who upheld his 

 authority, in receipt from the Government of 2,000 tael 

 a year, besides twenty-five bales of silk, etc., with his 

 people in comparative serfdom, he has a very good 

 time and is presumably very wealthy. He certainly 

 upheld the reputation of Kumul for liberal hospitality. 



After an hour spent in talking and drinking tea, the 

 Khan showed us his garden. Followed by an escort 

 of attendants, we paraded the paved walks which led 

 in and out amongst orchards and flower-beds; crossed 

 little bridges built in Chinese fashion over running streams 

 irrigating the land ; passed several miniature mosques, 

 and finally reached a summer-house which lay under a 

 group of giant elm-trees. Here tea was again served and 

 we rested a little, for the Khan was not used to long 

 walks. Later we visited the shooting-range where the 

 archers practised, and then continued our walk to the 

 iris-beds. Here was an artificial lake, and on an island 



