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had somehow become associated with the name
of Hazrat Ali, and could thus claim homage and
reverence. On the second day of the Urs, while
people returned from the hill in disorderly groups,
a pell-mell procession was formed along the
long road in their progress towards the city.
A part of the road between Moula Ali and the
Hyderabad Residency was crowded with men
and horses, elephants and carriages and horse
and bullock conveyances of all descriptions
from early morning till late in the evening, and
formed the most striking part of the picture.
Small booths and stalls were seen dotting the sides
of the road—especially in the vicinity of the
Residency—and exhibiting articles and toys of
all sorts to attract the passers-by. It was an
improvised fair.

"The Mela, as it was called, was a tempting
occasion for the display of armed retainers by the
nobility. And the Nizam's beautiful horses also
took part in the procession.

" The durbars held by the late Nizam on
his birthday and on the Eid days were in them-
selves pictures of Eastern pomp and splendour.
They were usually held late in the evening. The
durbar hall was brilliantly illuminated by beautiful
crystal chandeliers and a side of it was occupied
5y "musicians, who, on the first appearance of the
Nizam, began their tuneful overtures in the tradi-
tional fashion. The higlTnotes of their music as