Page 181 - Arabian Studies (I)

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The Pilgrimage to Mecca in Mamlilk Times 165

Mill tar was an important one during the reign of the Circassian
Mamluks.1 1 7 He was in charge of the private wardrobe, armour,
vessels, candles etc. ol the Amir al-Hajj. In his care also were the
uniforms, garments and robes which accompanied the Amir
al-Hajj lor distribution among the chiefs of certain tribes along the
pilgrim route, the emirs and Oddis of Mecca and Medina and the
emir of Yanbu*.
In addition to the above-mentioned duties, the Mihtdr al-
Tashtkhanah had, according to JazIrT, been entrusted with the
office of al-Muhtasib along the route and during the caravan’s stay
at Mecca, Medina and Yanbu‘, which he offered to an official
whom he chose, for the sum of 50 dinars.
(j) Mihtdr al-Sharabkhdnah. He controlled the commissary of the
Amir al-Hajj. Under his supervision were the doctor, oculist and
surgeon already mentioned.
(k) Mihtdr al-Firdshkhdnah. He was in charge of the tents and the
servants who pitched them during the journey for the Amir
al-Hajj, his officials and troops. He travelled a little in advance of
the main caravan so that the tents would be ready when theAmir
and his followers arrived at a station.
(/) Al-Zardakash. He controlled the arms and war equipment
which accompanied the Amir al-Hajj for the defence of the
caravan. Under his supervision was an official known as Nafti or
Bdriidi, whose duty was to prepare fireworks and explosives to be
discharged at certain stations along the route and at Mina.
(m) Mihtdr al-Rikdbkhdnah. He was in charge of the horse saddles,
bridles, trappings etc. in the stable of the Amir al-Hajj.
(ft) The Poets. Two professional poets were employed by the
Amir al-Hajj. They travelled behind him to entertain him with
songs accompanied on the rebec (rabab).
(o) Al-Tubulkhdnah. According to JazIrT, the band which accom­
panied the Egyptian Amir al-Hajj during Mamluk times was
composed of two drummers, two pipers and a trumpeter. In
addition to these the Mahmil had its own band which consisted of
seven drummers.
(p) Al-Makhbazi. The baker and his assistants had the duty of
preparing bread at the main stations along the route for the Amir
al-Hajj, his officials and troops.
(q) Al-Kayyaliin wa-’l-Simsar. Though the title indicates a group
of corn measurers and a broker, JazIrT refers here to an official
who was in charge of the grain of the Amir al-Hdjj. Among the
duties of this official was the supervision of the sieving, grinding
and transport of this grain in the train of the Amir al-Hajj.
(/*) Najjar al-Sanih. He was a carpenter who travelled with the

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