98 BENARES. 
young, and considered as of very inferior rank. Lord Wellesley, 
when at Benares, visited the two former, but not the latter ; never- 
theless, on the boy's waiting on him at his durbar, he was received 
with a royal salute. 
The salaries paid to the royal family were always issued from 
the treasury of Benares, but previously to the late treaty with his 
Excellency the Nawaub Vizier of Oude, were regularly charged to 
his account. On his ceding to us several provinces, we undertook to 
pay these, as well as several other charges. Since the death of Jewan 
Bukht, the allowances have been as follows : 
To the Kutluc Begum and her son, per month 11,000 rupees. 
To the Mirza Shegofta Bukht - - 4,000 ditto. 
To the youngest son - - - 2,000 ditto. 
17,000 
We also allow to the Begum three hundred rupees per month, to 
keep the lamps burning at the tomb of her husband : it does not 
cost her a quarter of the money. These sums are amply sufficient 
to maintain them in a country where the necessaries of life are so 
cheap, not only with comfort, but splendour; yet they are always 
distressed. The number of their retainers is very great, and old 
servants of the family are continually making their way to them 
from Delhi, and are sure to be received and assisted as far as their 
little means will permit. There is also, as I have before observed, 
an improvidence in the Mahomedan character, which prevents their 
keeping within due bounds. A predestinarian thinks little of 
the morrow, and hopes of future prosperity shut their eyes to the 
inevitable ruin that awaits them. Many of the first Mussulman 
families have already disappeared; they become soldiers of fortune 
