is given a thān—a piece of cloth about thirty yards long—of gold cloth, some money, a turban, sweets and fruits; his work has been completed.
After the ceremony the bride-groom's mother takes charge of the bride, and all crowd to the bride's room, for another custom must be observed. Every lady is expected to come and see the bride unveiled, and give something in gold or silver in her hand as rūnumāgī—the gift for seeing the beautified face of the newly-married one.
Soon afterwards the bride's maids prepare a place in the largest hall of the house for another ceremony called Aīna mushaf (Persian—Aīna, mirror, charming and beautiful face, meaning a mirror in which a charming face is reflected). This is, perhaps, the oldest custom in connection with the wedding ceremony. A mirror is placed before the bride, and the bride-groom is asked to sit on the bride's left. A shawl is held over them, and the bride has to unveil and look in the mirror. Then husband and wife see each other's face for the first time. It is, as a matter of fact, their first real meeting. The bride is shy and does not open her eyes, and the bride's maids and others pass many humorous remarks, chaffing her freely.
A silver engraved bowl is then brought, with a little sherbet, and a plate of white rice pudding. The bride-groom is to drink a little of the sherbet and offer the bride a sip. Often she closes her lips tightly, but force is applied and a spoonful dropped into her mouth; so also with the rice pudding. Sherbet and rice must always be tasted first by the man. A shower of roses announces the termination of this custom, and when the bride-groom attempts to rise he finds he is held down to the floor, a corner of his coat having been sewn to the carpet while he was engaged in Aīna Mashaf. At this there is a roar of laughter. The offender is found, and is probably a younger sister of the bride. She refuses to undo the stitches unless a gold coin is given to her. As soon as this toll is paid, the bride-
