Chapter MUSTER to MYDAN of M by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

and the Mogul has a Mint there; but the ancient name of Muxadabaud has been changed for Rajahmal, for above a Century.”—A. Hamilton, ii. 20; [ed. 1744]. (There is great confusion in this.)

1751.—“I have heard that Ram Kissen Seat, who lives in Calcutta, has carried goods to that place without paying the Muxidavad Syre (see SAYER) Chowkey duties. I am greatly surprised, and send a Chubdar to bring him, and desire you will be speedy in delivering him over.”—Letter from Nawab Allyverdi Caun to the Prest. of Council, dated Muxidavad, May 20.

1753.—“En omettant quelques lieux de moindre considération, je m’arrête d’abord à Mocsudabad. Ce.nom signifie ville de la monnoie. Et en effet c’est là où se frappe celle du pays; et un grand fauxbourg de cette ville, appelé Azingonge, est la résidence du Nabab, qui gouverne le Bengale presque souverainement.”—D’Anville, 63.

1756.—“The Nabob, irritated by the disappointment of his expectations of immense wealth, ordered Mr. Holwell and the two other prisoners to be sent to Muxadavad.”—Orme, iii. 79.

1782.—“You demand an account of the East Indies, the Mogul’s dominions and Muxadabad.…I imagine when you made the above requisition that you did it with a view rather to try my knowledge than to increase your own, for your great skill in geography would point out to you that Muxadabad is as far from Madras, as Constantinople is from Glasgow.”—T. Munro to his brother William, in Life, &c. iii. 41.

1884.—It is alleged in a passage introduced in Mrs. C. Mackenzie’s interesting memoir of her husband, Storms and Sunshine of a Soldier’s Life, that “Admiral Watson used to sail up in his ships to Moorshedabad.” But there is no ground for this statement. So far as I can trace, it does not appear that the Admiral’s flag-ship ever went above Chandernagore, and the largest of the vessels sent to Hoogly even was the Bridgewater of 20 guns. No vessel of the fleet appears to have gone higher.

MUZBEE, s. The name of a class of Sikhs originally of low caste, vulg. mazbi, apparently mazhabi from Ar. mazhab, ‘religious belief.’ Cunningham indeed says that the name was applied to Sikh converts from Mahommedanism (History, p. 379). But this is not the usual application now. [“When the sweepers have adopted the Sikh faith they are known as Mazhabis. …When the Chuhra is circumcised and becomes a Musulman, he is known as a Musalli or a Kotána” (Maclagan, Panjab Census Rep., 1891, p. 202).] The original corps of Muzbees, now represented by the 32nd Bengal N.I. (Pioneers) was raised among the men labouring on the Baree Doab Canal.

1858.—“On the 19th June (1857) I advocated, in the search for new Military classes, the raising of a corps of Muzzubees.… The idea was ultimately carried out, and improved by making them pioneers.” —Letter from Col. H. B. Edwardes to R. Montgomery, Esq., March 23.

„ “To the same destination (Delhi) was sent a strong corps of Muzhubee (low-caste) Sikhs, numbering 1200 men, to serve as pioneers.”—Letter from R. Temple, Secretary to Punjab Govt., dd. Lahore, May 25, 1858.

MYDAN, MEIDAUN, s. Hind. from Pers. maidan. An open space, an esplanade, parade-ground or green, in or adjoining a town; a piazza (in the Italian sense); any open plain with grass on it; a chaugan (see CHICANE) ground; a battle-field. In Ar., usually, a hippodrome or racecourse.

c. 1330.—“But the brethren were meanwhile brought out to the Medan, i.e., the piazza of the City, where an exceeding great fire had been kindled. And Friar Thomas went forward to cast himself into the fire, but as he did so a certain Saracen caught him by the hood…”—Friar Odoric, in Cathay, 63.

1681.—“When it is the hour of complines, or a little later to speak exactly, it is the time for the promenade, and every one goes on horseback to the meidan, which is always kept clean, watered by a number of men whose business this is, who water it carrying the water in skins slung over the shoulder, and usually well shaded and very cool.”—P. della Valle, i. 707.

c. 1665.—“Celui (Quervansera) des Étrangers est bien plus spacieux que l’autre et est quarré, et tous deux font face au Meidan.” —Thevenot, v. 214.

1670.—“Before this house is a great square meidan or promenade, planted on all sides with great trees, standing in rows.” —Andriesz, 35.

1673.—“The Midan, or open Space before the Caun’s Palace, is an Oblong and Stately Piatzo, with real not belied Cloisters.”—Fryer, 249.

1828.—“All this was done with as much coolness and precision, as if he had been at exercise upon the maidaun.”—The Kuzzilbash, i. 223.

[1859.—“A 24-pound howitzer, hoisted on to the maintop of the Shannon, looked menacingly over the Maidan (at Calcutta) …”—Oliphant, Narrative of Ld. Elgin’s Mission, i. 60.