A BAZAAR AND A CASTLE 297
strange that in India, in the countries of the Moghol,
the Persian tongue is us'd more perhaps than the In-
dian itself, since the Mogholian princes being originally
Tartars, and of Samarkand, where the Persian is the
natural tongue of the country, have therefore been
willing to retain their native speech in India; in brief,
the Persian is the language of the Moghol 's court, most
spoken and us'd in all publick writings.
Near this castle gate, in a void place of the street
are two pulpits handsomely built of stone, somewhat
rais'd from the ground, wherein 'tis the Custome to read
the king's commandments publickly, when they are to
be proclaim 'd. Thence turning to the right hand, and
passing another great gate, and through a fair street
we came to the royal palace; for Ahmedabad is one
of the four cities, 1 amongst all the others of his domin-
ions, where the Grand Moghol by particular privilege
hath a palace and a court; and accordingly he comes
sometimes to reside there. This palace hath a great
square court, surrounded with white and well polish 'd
walls. In the midst stands a high post to shoot at with
arrows, as is also usual in the piazzas of Persia. On
the left side of the court as you go in are the king's
lodgings, a small and low building. What 'tis within
side I know not, for I enter 'd not into it; but without
'tis as follows. Under the king's windows is a square
place inclos'd with a rail of colour 'd wood, and the
pavement somewhat rais'd; within which, if the king
is there, are wont to stand certain officers of the militia,
1 The other three cities being Agra, Mandu, and Lahore.
