Note 25 — The Fourteenth New Year’s Feast from the Auspicious Accession

On the night of Saturday, the 4th of the Ilāhī month of Amurdād, corresponding with 15 S͟haʿbān, was the feast of the S͟hab-i-barāt. By order, they decorated and brought before me on the river, boats with lamps and all kinds of fireworks. In truth, the lamps they had arranged appeared very pretty, and for a long time I enjoyed myself in going round and looking at them. On Tuesday, Mīrān,25 s. Nād ʿAlī Maidānī, who was one of the well-brought-up khanazads, was selected for the mansab of 700 personal and 500 horse, and K͟hwāja Zainu-d-dīn for that of 700 personal and 300 horse, and K͟hwāja Muḥsin for that of 700 personal and 100 horse. On Thursday, the 9th, I went to hunt at the village of Samūnagar. Passing my time pleasantly in going round and hunting on that pleasant plain until Monday, I returned on the eve of Tuesday to the palace. On Thursday, the 16th, Bis͟hūtan, grandson of S͟haik͟h Abū-l-Faẓl (the author), was promoted to the mansab of 700 personal and 350 horse. On this day I went round to see the garden of Gul-afs͟hān, which is on the bank of the Jumna. On the way rain fell heavily and filled the mead with freshness and greenness. Pineapples had arrived at perfection, and I made a thorough inspection. Of the buildings that overlooked the river none26 that I saw were without the charm of verdure and flowing water. These verses of Anwarī appeared appropriate to the place: