Note 133 — TURKISH LITERATURE (continued 2)

Opinions differ as to the exact nature of the Tughra (signature of Turkish rulers: more correctly, tora, meaning "decree"). Some say that it is merely a flourish, others hold that it is the impression of the hand. In Central Asia, Turkish monarchs used to dip their hand in blood, hence the expression al-tamga, "red seal." The descendants of Baber first introduced into India the use of the yellow dye, saffron.