The table shows that notwithstanding the discrepancy discussed in section a, of Babur's making 935 AH. begin on a Wednesday, and Wiistenfeld on a Tuesday, the two authorities agree as to the initial week-day of four months out of twelve, vis. Safar, Sha'ban, Shawwal and Zu'l-hijja.
Again : In eight of the months the Bdbur-nama reverses the "book-rule" of alternative Muharram 30 days, Safar 29 days et seq. by giving Muharram 29, Safar 30. (This is seen readily by following the initial days of the week.) Again : these eight months are in pairs having respectively 29 and 30 days, and the year's total is 364. Four months follow the fixed rule, i.e. as though the year had begun Muh. 30 days, Satar 29 days namely, the two months of Rabl' and the two of Jumada. Ramzan to which under " book-rule" 30 days are due, had 29 days, because, as Babur records, the Moon was seen on the 29th. In the other three instances of the reversed 30 and 29, one thing is common, viz. Muharram, Rajab, Zu'1-qa'da (as also Zu'l-hijja) are ," honoured" months. It would be interesting if some expert in this Musalman matter would give the reasons dictating the changes from rule noted above as occurring in 935 AH.
c. Varia.
(1) On f. 367 Saturday is entered as the 1st day of Sha'ban and Wednesday as the 4th, but on f. 368^ stands Wednesday 5th, as suits the serial dating. If the mistake be not a mere slip, it may be due to confusion of hours, the ceremony chronicled being accomplished on the eve of the 5th, Anglice, after sunset on the 4th.
(2) A fragment only survives of the record of Zu'l-hijja 935 AH. It contains a date, Thursday 7th, and mentions a Feast which will be that of the iIdul-kabir on the 10th (Sunday). Working on from this to the first-mentioned day of 936AH. viz. Tuesday, Muharram 3rd, the month (which is the second of a pair having 29 and 30 days) is seen to have 30 days and so to fit on to 936 AH. The series is Sunday 10th, 17th, 24th (Sat. 30th) Sunday 1st, Tuesday 3rd.
Flickr
Stumbleupon
Scribd
