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soaked in water for 24 hours, after which it is
kneaded with the hands and feet until it becomes
dough-like. Lumps proportionate to the articles to
be made are then mounted on a wheel and formed
into the required shape. After the vessels have
dried, they are again put on the wheel, and finished
by means of an iron tool (samples of which have
been sent). Tiles are prepared in moulds, and when
dried are rubbed over with a piece of wet cloth and
beaten with an earthen “ maul ” for the purpose of
smoothing the surface; they are then kept for two
or three days or more tili they become sufficiently
firm, and after having been eut to the proper size,
are piled on layers in the sun to dry.
The vessels, tiles, &c. having been sun-dried, may
then be sent to the kiln, after which the required
pattern is traced on them in the following manner.
A perforated paper pattern (see speeimens sent) is
placed upon the article, and powclered charcoal
sprinkled over it. On removing the paper, the
pattern remains on the earthenware, and is then
brushed over with a solution called “ Sahree,” the
description of which is given below.
When this is dry, glaze of the required colour is
prepared and poured over it; the article is then
allowed to dry again, after which it is placed in the
glazing kiln, and subjected to the required amount
of heat. The articles are only removed after the
kiln has become cold.
Preparation of “ Sal ree.”
“ Sahree ” is clay found only in the vicinity of
Sehwan, and vended at Hydrabad (Sind) at a rupee
per maund (82 lbs.). When required for use it is
put into a large vessel over night, with water enough
to cover it. In the morning it is found to have
attained the consistence of paste, and this being
strained, it is ready for use.
Preparation of “ Moordarsing” (Litharge).
For green colouring two pounds of “Sendoor”
(red lead), one pound of “ Waree ” (sand), and a
quarter of a pound of carbonate of copper are mixed
together and put into an unbaked vessel previously
plastered over on the inside with a mixture of
“ Waree ” (sand) and “ Sahree ” (clay). This vessel
is then placed in a heated oven, when the articles are
melted together and form a hard substance, used for
colouring green. When required for useit is ground
to powder in a hand-mill, sifted, and mixed with
wheat paste.
For red or yellow colouring, the process is the
same as above described, substituting red “ Dha ” or
earth for the carbonate of copper.
For purple colouring, instead of a solution of
“ Sahree ” the baked tile or vessel is washed over
with black “ Dha” (earthen), and the “ Moordarsing”
for red or yellow colouring is used as a glaze.
For blue colouring or glazing, lime obtained from
the fiint of the sample sent, is freely powdered,
sifted, and mixed with wheat paste. This mixture
is poured over the unbaked article and allowed to
dry. “ Lajwurde,” a blue colour, is then ground
on a stone with water, to the consistence of paste,
and brushed over the prepared article. When dry
“ Kashee ” or white glazing matter is put on, and
the vessel placed in the kilns as before.
If the “ Lajwurde ” (Lapis Lazuli) used in the
last process be omitted, the result will be simply a
white glaze.
“ Cashee-jo-rung ” or glazing composition.
This is made of four parts of “ Chaneo ” (alkaline
earth) and one part of “ Jubbul-jee-waree ” (hill
sand). These are mixed together and placed in the
kiln to melt. The substance thus obtained by
fusion becomes the glazing material, when it is
added to paste and used as other pigments.
Ancient brick from Tatta.
Bricks from the ruins of Bumboor.—These bricks
were obtained from the site of an ancient city at
present known by the name of “ Bumbura,” or the
Kafir or Infidel City. There are reasons to suppose
that this ancient place was known during the eiglit
Century as “ Diwal ” or “ Dawul,” when the Mahomedans
under Mahomed bin Cassum invaded Sind.
It was the first city stormed by him. It is said that
the catapultas he used in the siege were brought by
sea to the place, and that it was then the principal
seaport of Sind, on the Western branch of the Dalta
of the Indus. There was a temple of renowned
sanctity in the fort at the time of its destruction,
and hence it has been called by subsequent Mahomedan
Historians “Dawul” or Temple, but it
would appear that before the Mahomedan conquest
it was known as “ Mahaara ” or “ Munsawar.” In
Arrian’s Periplus it seems also to be the same, mention
together with “ Gharra,” the first probably as
“ Barbarike,” and the latter as “ Minaghara,” both
described as the first ports situated at the mouth of
the Indus, which he calls “ Scynthus.”
Major Rennell, in a map compiled by him in the
year 1783, places “ Dawul ” in the position of this
ruined City.
Cabil and Yarrow, of Halla, Haidarabad, Sind.
Speeimens of pottery, consisting of domestic Utensils
(of a similar description to those of the preceding
exhibitor), tiles, mosaic-work, &c., &c.
150 speeimens.
Collection of ancient tiles, as follows :—
These interesting relics should be looked at
in connexion with the photographs (by J.
Mitchie and Co.) of the tombs from which they
were taken. Vide Notes referring to these
photographs.
Tiles from the tomb of Ameer Khuleel Khan.
Tiles from the tomb of Nawab Ameer Khan.
Tiles from the tomb of Dewan Shoorfa Khan.
Tiles from the tomb of Mirza Bakee Tur Khan.
Tiles from the tomb of Mirza Janee Beg and Ghazee
Beg.
Glazed tiles from the ruins of Kullan Kote or the
Great Fort.
The tiles sent were procured from the ruins
of this fort, which is said to have been built in
824 Hijree (A.D. 1421), on the ruins of a still
more ancient fort, said to have been in existence
before the Mahomedan era. It is situated near
the north or right flank of the “ Buggar,” or
Western branch of the Indus, about four miles
South of Tatta.
Glazed tile, found 12 feet below the surface of a
building more tban 400 years old. From Tatta.
Glazed tiles, from the ruins of the old Portuguese
Chapel, at Tatta, Sind.
The town of Tatta was built in 872 Hijree
(A.D. 14G7), by Jam Nizamoodeen Summa (or,
as he is more commonly called, Jam Ninda).
The fort, however, was commenced about 1111
