Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

The Court
The colour of the early Abbasids was black, black too was the colour of their banner bearing in white inscription. ”Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of God”. The coronation was marked by absolute Arab simplicity. The Caliph wore a black kaftan (a flowing garment) and a black turban. On him rested the mantle of Muhammad (PBUH) and in his hand was placed the Prophet’s (PBUH) staff. Usman’s (Rad.A) copy of the Qur’an was kept before him. One after another, the nobility first and then the others kissed the hand of the Caliph and this was the form of paying homage.
The court staff consisted of the princes of the Caliph’s house, the palace staff, the Caliph’s freedmen, the guards, the private secretaries, the Qur’an readers, the Mu’adhdhins, the astronomers, the officers in charge of the clocks, the story-tellers, the jesters, the Caliph’s artisans (goldsmiths, carpenters, etc.), marshals, hunters, menagerie-keepers, personal attendants, cooks, physicians, crew of the court boats, lamplighters, etc. After his return to Baghdad (819 A.D) al-Ma’mun had a list prepared of men whom he wished to entertain at his table. The list included literati, savants, courtiers, and military leaders.
’’The court establishment consumed larger sums. For the kitchen and bakery 10,000 dinars (100,000 marks) were allotted per month. Merely for musk a monthly sum of 300 dinars was paid into the kitchen, though the Caliph did not care much for it in his food, and at the most had but a little in his biscuits. In addition to these sums the following payments are shown per month: 120 dinars for water carriers, 200 dinars for candles and oil, 30 dinars for medicines, 3,000 dinars for incense, baths, liveries, arms, saddles and carpets.