National Republican., 1875-12-02
Wealth in India.


A Paris paper says: Nothing but ridcule could
have attended any attempt on the part of the
Prince Of Wales to rival tho Mohammedan rulers
of India In ostentation and magninccnce. In the
matter Of presents alone his utmost mnnincence
would have been surpassed by single act Of favor
displayed by one Of the former sovereigns OF Him.
dostan. For instance, Jehan Cheer bestowed
upon his son, when setting out to take the conn.,
mand Of the army in the Deecan, "a sword, the
scabbard Of which was OF gold set with stones
valued at 100000 rupees tflo,oOoD dagger at
f4,ooo; an elephant and two horses all their fur.
nituTe Of gold, set with stones" and state car
riage built IN imitation OF the one sent to the
Emperor by King James ]. On his birthday
Jehan Cheer was 80 richly adorned with jewels
that Sir Thomas Rec protests that in all his life
he '.never saw such inestimable wealth to-
gether.n "The time" he tonhruss, 'sas
spent IN bringing his greatest elephants before
him, some Of which being lsrd elephants, had
their chains, bells and furniture OF gold and
eG about t5sn and es1s Of ssa sen esphsni
waiting on each OF them, clothed In gold,
silk and silver. In this manner about twelve
companies passed by, most richly adorned, the
nrst having all the plates on his head and breast
get with rubies and emeralds. being beast Of
down before the King, making their reverences
very handsomely. On one occasion when the
King honored bis Minister with his company at
silks and yelvets fewed together, and the cost Of
the banquet was estimated at 10000. On his
birthday yehan Cheer was weighed against
seven kinds Of commodities, such as rupees,
jewels cloth of gold. silks, callcoes, Spices honey
and butter, which we're afterwards Distributed
among the poor. "The scales were Of beaten
gold, and for more surety there were silk ropes.
The beam was covered with plates Of gold. The
great lords of the nation sat about the throne on
rteh carpets, expecting the Kings coming cut
rubes and pearls. He had several strings OF
them about his neck, arms, wrists and turban.
and two or three rings on each hnger. HIS
sword, buckler and throne were also covered
with precious stones. Among the rest I saw
digious magnitude. He got into one Of the scales,
sitting on his legs like q tailor" At
times the munihcence Of the Delhi Emperors sa-
yored Of reckless extraysgance. A. singer,
having delighted the royal ears, was re-
warded his own weight In silver coin, amounting
treasure 70 his house. The famous Noormehsl,
having shot four tigers with the matchbox from
the back OF an elephant, was presented By the
enamored Jehan Cheer with pair of emerald
/ bracelets valued at $1,000, while Loco rubles
surpassed both his predecessors in personal
wealth. According to Ferishta, that ilfustrious
potentate numbered among his possessions coined
silver computed at 100 eco coo rupees; choice ru-
bies, one maund or 50 pounds weight; common n.
coined gold, 70 maunds;. uncolned silver, 100
maunds copper pce, 90 billions. (iour pice=llzd;l
elephants, above 5000; horses, II 900; deer 5o00
hunting lcopardF, over 900, and hawks, 600. II Is
recorded, probsoly with good deal OF exaGgera-
tion, that Akbars treasury contained sec. 900
occasion he Allied tank near fntfshpur sikri
with nine crores OF rupees, equivalent to fe,0eo,
mccoy. = =