Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 1.djvu/30

CHAPTER XXXV.

FATHIPOORPOOR ?] SICRI AND COLONEL GARDNER.

1835, March.

Pilgrimage of Akbar Shāh to Fathīpoor Sicri—Shaikh Selīm Cheestie—The
Jodh Bā'ī—Birth of Selīm—The Tomb of the Saint—The Gateway—A
Tradition—The Temple of Magic—The Zenāna—The Pachīsī
Board—The Mint—Akbārābādee Rupees and Gold Mohurs—The
Elephant Minār—A Child destroyed by a Wolf—Tomb of the Jodh Bā'ī—Agra
built by Akbar—Sketches of Remarkable Living Characters in
India—Legality of a Marriage between a Christian and one of the
Faithful—Colonel Gardner's Letter—Letter of Colonel Tod—Insult
offered by Holkar—Colonel Gardner's Marriage—Tomb of Colonel
Hessing—Cure of Influenza within the Four Walls—Death in a Steam-Bath 401


CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE MARRIAGE.

1835, March.

Pedigree of the Bride and Bridegroom—Reports concerning the Beauty
of the Bride—Anxiety of English Gentlemen to marry into Colonel
Gardner's Family—Mirza Unjun Shekō—The First Procession—The
Bride's Dress—Necessity of Weeping—The Oily Mixture—Strict
Seclusion—Dress of the Bridegroom—The Oily Mixture complimentary—The
Hoolī—Bridal Songs—The Sāchak—The Bridegroom's Procession—Nāch
Girls on Platforms—The Menhdi—The Grand Display in the
Bride's Procession—The Parda—The Prince dyed with Hinnā—Midnight
the Fashionable Hour for Dinner—Wedding Dishes—Silvered
Food—Conclusion of the Day—Mr. James Gardner—Mulka Begam
highly respected; her will is law 420


CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE BURĀT.

1835, March.

The Bridegroom fights for his Bride—The Grand Procession—Superstition
of the Prince—Bridal Attire—The Bride's Consent—Signing the
Contract—The Nose-ring—Dress of the Bride—The Prince enters the
Zenāna—He beholds his Bride—He carries her off—Colonel Gardner's
Distress—Fāni] Bhū'a—The Bride's Dower carried in Procession with
the newly-married Couple to the Prince's Tents—A Singular Custom—Pān 437