1879.] W. Irvine—TZhe Bangash Nawdbs of Farrukhibdad. 147 
might have his separate assembly. Dancing girls from far and near were 
gathered together, so that dancing might go on at all the different tents at 
once. At night all the nobles were invited, and each was conducted to a 
separate tent. To each were told off two chelas to attend on them and 
earry out their wishes. Nawab Ahmad Khan sat in his own hall, with 
some of the greater nobles, such as Nasir Khan, ex-Subahdar of Kabul, 
Nawab Shah Jiu, son of Kamr-ud-din Khan Wazir, Nawab ’Itikad-ud- 
daula, son of the Emperor Ahmad Shah’s maternal aunt, and Nawab Manavy- 
var Khan, brother of Roshan-ud-daula. The night passed in amusements, 
in looking on at dancing and buffoons’ performances, or in listening to 
singing. ‘These festivities went on for a month. 
For illuminating the city, bamboo screens were put up along both sides 
of the road, from the gate of the fort to the gate of Khuddbandah Khan’s 
house. They adorned these screens with shades of mica and of coloured 
glass (kanwal) and with glass shades. Platforms adorned with brocade, 
cloth of gold and satin were prepared to carry the dancing women. This 
work was made over to Haji Sarfaraz Khan and Naémdar Khan the elder. 
The fireworks were under Nasir Khan. Shafi Khan, darogha of the elephant 
stables, was ordered to prepare hawdahs and bangla (covered howdahs) and 
amdra (howdahs high at the sides) adorned with gold and silver. The 
elephants were to be in attendance at the gate of the fort. Bakhshi Fakhr- 
ud-daula and Diwan Mihrban Khan were told that when the bridegroom 
mounted his elephant (megdamba) the nobles of Delhi were to be escorted 
to their elephants. The commanders of regiments and the jama’dars at- 
tended in their best raiment, accompanied by their relations. 
When the procession was formed, the illuminations were lit in one 
blaze from the fort gate to Khudabandah Khan’s, They were formed of 
mica shades (kanwa/) and round globes (kwinkwina) placed on the left and 
right of the roadway. In front there were lustres with five or six branches 
each, making a total of fifty or sixty thousand lights. Then followed the 
thrones on which the dancing girls performed. Thus, with splendour and 
display, the bridegroom’s party advanced step by step. Fireworks were let 
off at intervals. From both sides gold and silver flowers were flung on the 
bridegroom for good luck. At length they reached the bride’s door. The 
Nawab and the bridegroom and the nobles entered, while the other leaders 
attended outside. Dancing and singing then began, and the whole night 
was thus passed. At day-break the bridegroom was taken into the women’s 
apartments for the ceremonies usual there. Then coming out the bride 
was put into a chandol (a sort of sedan chair), which was covered with cloth 
of gold. All that Khuddbandah Khan possessed in the way of goods and 
chattels, he sent with his daughter as her marriage present. Then the 
