Bernier, François, Travels in the Mogul Empire A.D. 1656-1668

(Westminster, Eng. :  Constable,  1891.)

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472                       APPENDIX III.

than i8 inches long, are covered with gold inl.aid and enriched with
numerous diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. In the middle of each bar
there is a large balass^ \balet in orig.] ruby, cut en cabuchon, with four
emeralds round it, which form a square cross. Next in succession, from
one side to the other along the length of the bars there are similar crosses,
arranged so that in one the ruby is in the middle of four emeralds, and in
another the emerald is in the middle and four balass rubies surround it.
The emeralds are table-cut, and the intervals between the rubies and
emeralds are covered wdth diamonds, the largest of which do not
exceed lo to 12 carats in weight, all being showy stones, but very flat.
There are also in some parts pearls set in gold, and upon one of the
longer sides of the throne there are four steps to ascend it. Of the
three cushions or pillows which are upon the throne, that which is
placed behind the King's back is large and round like one of our
bolsters, and the two others that are placed at his sides are flat. There
is to be seen, moreover, a sword suspended from this throne, a mace,
a round shield, a bow and quiver with arrows; and all these weapons,
as also the cushions and steps, both of this throne and the other six,
are covered over with stones which match those with which each of
the thrones is respectively enriched.

1 counted the large balass rubies on the great throne, and there are
about 108, all cabuchons, the least of which weighs 100 carats,^ but
there are some which weigh apparently 200 and more. As for the
emeralds, there are plenty of good colour, but they have many flaws ;
the largest may weigh 60 carats and the least 30 carats. I counted
about one hundred and sixteen (116); thus there are more emeralds
than rubies.

The underside of the canopy is covered with diamonds and pearls,
with a fringe of pearls all round, and above the canopy, which is
a quadrangular-shaped dome, there is to be seen a peacock with
elevated tail made of blue sapphires and other coloured stones, the
body being of gold inlaid with precious stones, having a large ruby in
front of the breast, from whence hangs a pear-shaped pearl of 50 carats
or thereabouts, and of a somewhat yellow water. On both sides of the
peacock there is a large bouquet of the same height as the bird, and
consisting of many kinds of flowers made of gold inlaid with
precious stones. On the side of the throne which is opposite the court
there is to be seen a jewel consisting of a diamond of from 80 to 90
carats weight, with rubies and emeralds round it, and when the King
is seated he has this jewel in full view.    But that which in my opinion

r A corruption of Balakhshal^ a popular form of Badaktiskal^ because these
rubies came from the famous mines on the Upper Oxus, in one of the districts
subject to BadakhshSn.    a.o.

2 Rubies of good quality weighing loo carats would be worth more than diamonds
of equal weight, but it is probable that these were not perfect in every respect,   v. B.
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