[298] The stake was a common mode of punishment in India in former days, and, until recently, was practised among the Sikhs, Marhattas, and other Asiatic princes, who were independent of our government.

[299] Addressing himself to the king Azad Bakht.

[300] The term kibla signifies the “point of adoration,” and is generally applied to the Ka’ba, or holy edifice, situated in the sacred inclosure of Mecca.  To this point all Muhammadans must turn when they pray.

[301] The prayer of martyrdom among the Musalmans. It is often repeated when they go into action against Christians and Pagans

[302] According to the Muhammadan belief, Nakir and Munkir are two angels who attend at the moment of death, and call to an account the spirit of the deceased.

[303] Literally, “satiated the dog of my stomach.”

[304] Literally, to perform the act of “rubbing the nose on the earth,” expressive of extreme humility.

[305] Literally, “having fastened [on his person] the four mirrors.”

[306] The term zuhr strictly denotes the period devoted to the mid-day prayer, which is offered up after the sun has perceptibly declined from the meridian.  Vide note 4, in page 14.

[307] The name of the countries which lie, as the people of Hindustan term it, below Bengal, i.e., to the south-east of it; the name includes the kingdoms of Ava and Pegu.

[308] Kunwar is the Hindu name for the son of a raja.

[309] The chaugan is a Persian sport performed on horseback, with a large ball like a foot-ball, which is knocked about with a long stick like a shepherd’s crook; it is precisely the game called in Scotland “shintey,” and in England “hockey,” only that the players are mounted.

[310] Rani is the Hindu name of a raja’s wife.

[311] Literally, “without a partner.”  The Musalmans consider our doctrine of the Trinity as a deadly error.

[312] Sarandip is the name for the island of Ceylon among the Arabs and Persians, as well as the Musalmans of India.  The ancient Hindu name was Lanka, applied both to the island and its capital.

[313] The term kisra is evidently applied here to Naushirwan, not to Cyrus, as is stated in some books.

[314] Iran is the ancient name of Persia in its more extended sense, that is, the Persian Empire. Fars is sometimes used in the same sense.  Strictly speaking, it denotes Persia proper, which is only a province of Iran.

[315] The kafila-bashi is the head man of the kafila, or company of merchants, who travel in a body for mutual safety, and compose what is commonly called a caravan, properly a karwan; the richest and most respectable merchant of the party is generally elected bashi; all the rest obey his orders, and he directs the movements, &c., of the whole company, and moreover, acts, in all cases of dispute, as judge and magistrate.