1835.], Origin and Ceremonies of the Mohurrum. 319 



edj^i-^ Alum (c) or --^^-J Punje (d) which are generally 

 made of metallic substances in the form of a hand with 

 five fingers extended, are exhibited in different places 

 that are previously furnished and ornamented according 

 to the circumstances of the parties concerned. A place of 

 this kind is called Ashoor Khana (or a house for the 

 celebration of the anniversary ending on the lOth of 

 Mohurrum). The Alums or Punje, in my humble opi- 

 nion, have reference to nothing but ornaments affixed 

 to the upper part of the colours of the warriors who fell 

 with their gallant leader, Hoosien, on the lO^h of Mo- 

 hurrum. These are fixed on sticks, covered Vvilh diffe- 

 rent kinds of cloths, and, I think I mav, for the purpose 

 of further illustration, say, that these Alums are some- 

 thing like the Roman's Eagle or their Military Ensign, 

 and not unlike the Eagle at the top of Buonaparte's tri- 

 coloured flag ; with this only difference, that one is in 

 the shape of a bird, and the other in the form of a hand 

 with five fingers extended. They are adorned with 

 flowers; and a quantity of frankincense is burnt and 

 offerings of sugar, &c. are made before these sacred 

 emblems. 



There are different kinds of Alums v/hieh are dedi- 

 Ccited to divers saints and martyrs, and their processions 

 take place on different nights and days during the Mo^ 

 hurrum anniversary, I shall here enumerate the principal 

 Alums. 



\st. ^c-^jS^s>- Hyderee Alum ('Hyder's colours) is de- 

 dicated to Mahomed's cousin and son-indav/. Alee. Its 



(c) ^l^ Alum, an Arabic word — among other meanings it 

 signifies standards, ensigns, colours, flags and banners. 



(ci) ^^si^-J Punje, a Hindoostanee word with a plural termina- 

 tion — a'mong other meanings it signifies hands with five fuigcrs 

 extended. 



