NAZR. ARAB. A present, a fine or fee paid to the state. An offering from an inferior to a superior. Nuzzerana, a fee for investiture, a suc cession fee; Nuzzerana, or relief, marks the original emanation of a grant, and in Mewar was fixed at one year's revenue of the state. Nuzzur-o-Niaz, vows and oblations.
Nazr or Nazzr is an offering from an inferior to a superior, a present. It is the present sent before, as in the time of (Genesis xxxii. 18) Jacob and Esau, when the servants said it is a present sent unto my lord Esau. Also 1 Samuel ix. 7 : Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man ? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God : what have we ? ' When Xenophon on his retreat reached the country of Seethes, and agreed to attach his corps to the service of the Thracian, his officers, on introduction, presented their gifts of homage ; but Xenophon presented his sword. This eastern custom is continued. Up to the present day, the
native officers of the Indian army, on introduction to a superior, present to him their swords, and, in taking leave, a drop of rose essence is allowed to fall on the half-drawn blade. It is a very effective, interesting rite. The Viceroy and Governor General of India at his receptions receives the nazrs of all the princes in the form of coins. It is very common in British India for a person, who is desirous of asking a favour from a superior, to take a present of fruits or sweetmeats in his hand. If not accepted, the feelings of the offerer are greatly wounded. There are periodical occasions in Persia at which all who are admitted to stand in the presence of its monarch are expected to appear before him with a present. Of these, the chief is the Nao-Roz or new year, which occurs about the end of March or beginning of April.— Fraser's Khorasan, p. 214 ; Ted's Travels, p. 486.