Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/174

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JIISTfJiiY OF ISI>..

(IJOOK I.

A.n. 1605. that for a year or two after tlie coii<[ue.st f>f the surrounding t<jrritory hy the Britisl), a whole European regiment of dragoons was quartered in it.

iy_J'.ii::ij.il

racter.

Mausoleum of Emperor Akber at SectsiJitA.' — From an Oriental drawing in East India Hoose.

Akber'sper- Akber is described as of a manly, athletic, and handsome form, fair com-

son, talents, ^ _ i i • <» i •

andcha- plexion, pleasing features, and captivating manners. In early life his tastes

were somewhat epi- curean, and he indulged in wine; in his latter yeai-s he was abstemious, both in meat and drink He had no Tndictive- ness in liis nature ; and, however much he migh t have been provoked, was always ready to extend pai'don to every one wlio asked it. His coiu-age

Akber's Tombstone at Secundha.'— Oriental drawing, East India House. t • i t n

was so decided as oiten to amount to rashness ; and the chivalrous prevailed so much in Ins temper, that

" The tomb of Akber at Secundra, near Delhi, is, like all his buildings and doings, exceptional, and unlike those of any of his race, but still of great mag- nificence. The tomb is pyramidal in external form. The outer or lower terrace is .320 feet square by 30 feet in height, and its architecture is bold and massive. On this terrace stands another far more ornate, mea- suring 186 feet on each side, and 14 feet 9 inches in height. A third and a fourth of similar design, and respectively 1.5 feet "2 inches and 14 feet 6 inches high, stand on this, all these being of red sandstone. Within and above the last is a white marble inclosure 1.57 feet e.ach way, or, e.Kternally, just half the length of the

lowest terrace. The outer wall of this is entirely com- posed of marble trellis-work of the most beautiful patterns. Inside it is surrounded by a colonnade of the same material. In the centre of this cloister, ou a raised platform, is the tombstone of the founder, a splendid piece of the most beautiful arabesque tracery (see accompanying engraving). This, however, is not the true burial place; but the mortal remains of this great king repose under a far plainer tombstone, in a vaulted chamber in the basement, 35 feet square, exactly under tlie simulated tomb that adorns the summit of the mausoleum." — -Fergusson's Iland-Book of Architeciure.