1844] 1838 and 1839, by Hajee Abdun Nubee, of Kabul. 701 



When a merchant for instance brings Bombay goods from Chouhar, 

 he bargains in rupees, and then the purchaser asks him what 

 he will have his rupees in, wool or ghee, and accordingly he 

 receives the article he wishes at the rate of the Bampoor market for 

 the time. The merchants of Dezak on the other hand, receive for 

 their cloths, copper and slaves, which are not stolen, but are the 

 trophies of mid-day forays in the confines of Kirman, and those 

 brought from the neighbouring Belooch districts, who may at any time 

 refuse to acknowledge the Khan. The merchants of Mukran again, 

 for their cloths and ducats, receive grain. 



On arriving at Bampoor, I put up in the mosque in the town 

 with several poor Hajees who had accompanied me from Dezak. In 

 the evening, according to the custom of the Khan, bread was brought 

 for us. As I wanted to form the acquaintance of the Khan under 

 favourable circumstances, I resolved on shewing eccentricities ; and ac- 

 cordingly returned my share of the dinner, saying, I made it a point 

 never to eat the bread of extortioners and rulers. 



The next day Mahammed Ally held a court without the town, and 

 ordered musicians to be present; when seated and in the 

 midst of his entertainment, he despatched a slave of his by 

 name Zaburdust, to invite me. I refused to go, saying, that I was a 

 disciple of Mulla Haroon, and had vowed never to listen to profane 

 music. This had the desired effect, the Khan's curiosity was excited to 

 the highest pitch, and in a quarter of an hour he alighted at the 

 mosque to pay me a visit in person. After salutations and com- 

 pliments had passed, he said, he supposed I gained no object in 

 visiting him, I therefore had refused to come; whereas he had objects to 

 gain, and had therefore come to see me. I expressed my anxiety to 

 know those objects. First, and he in reply " God had blessed me 

 with no more beard than what is composed of the few scattered 

 Requests. ^.^ ^ yourself perceive on my chin, and I am really 

 ashamed to show myself in public. I want some specific to make a 

 good beard grow ; secondly, according to my predestination, I have been 

 blessed with five wives, and live on good terms with them all, but 

 hitherto has been impossible for me* as you have seen a good deal 



* Sic in MS.— Eds. 



