The occupation of Macao by a grant from the head of the celestial empire to the Portuguese, as a reward for their services against the pirates infesting the islands at the mouth of the Canton river, took place on or about the year 1586.
Although the portraits represent the most illustrious occupants of the Imperial throne, they have not been chosen mainly for that reason, but because in every case the person represented is wearing interesting examples of jewellery.
The beautiful elephant howdah, presented by His Highness the Nawab Nazim of Murshidabad to her Majesty the Queen of England.
Buddhist “Tso-fu-sze” ceremony performed to evoke rain and end drought, illustrated in a charm.
Taoist priests use colored charms and rituals to protect and cleanse homes from fire, invoking the God of Fire.
Monks in Buddhist monasteries toll bells 108 times daily, symbolizing the Chinese year and believed to soothe souls.
Rao Pratap Singh life fell in troublous times, when the Moghul house was falling, and adventurers of different faiths and races were striving to carve out for themselves dominions and fortunes on the ruins of the disintegrating empire. Assumed the title of Maharao Raja Shri Sawai (not recognised by the Mughal authorities, and thus treated as personal, and not an hereditary territorial designation).
Pilgrimages and the sacred hills of Buddhism in China.
In Ngan-hwei, paper-houses are burnt to convey necessities to the deceased, a persistent ancient custom.
Frances Stewart was one of the great beauties of the Jacobean court, she was also the patron of Captain John Smith of the Virginia Colony.
