Part 172 - Audience protocol with H.H., army routines, and new Dzong; ammunition in Trongsa

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SUMMARY:
The writer describes court etiquette around H.H., with Nahu the Donyer managing access and notes language difficulties between Hindi and North Country Urdu. They observe the army’s routines, play football with them, note Dunkley’s request to see the 2.75-inch gun whose ammunition is in Trongsa, and remark on H.H.’s newly built Dzong with a corrugated iron roof.

CONTENT:
85a

...or even Nahu and the Maharani. None are allowed before him unless called for. Nahu is the Donyer and brings people to see H.H., but he himself must not come unless called. I noticed how he had always to stand behind H.H.; this must have been rather awkward for him once when I was explaining a camera to H.H. and kept turning the camera in a different direction. As H.H. turned, so Nahu had to run behind him. I have had a little difficulty with language, H.H. talking Hindi and I answering in North Country Urdu. [It is perhaps because of that that I cannot get anything very definite about the forests.] The Army now has its own lines, cook houses, and everything; they parade regularly most of the morning. They are a smart lot and seem pretty keen too. I played football against them once and had an amusing but not scientific game. Dunkley asked to see the 2.75-inch gun. It is all here, but ammunition is missing; it is all in Trongsa. The Army has its own signallers who practice daily and a band of drums, bagpipes, fifes, and trumpets. H.H. has made a fine new Dzong here, all to his own design. To my mind, it is spoilt by the corrugated iron roof. It is built in a good position, nice and open, commanding a good view.