Page:Bulandshahr- Or, Sketches of an Indian District- Social, Historical and Architectural.djvu/96

 are reflected in the stream. With the arches and parapet of the bridge marked out with lines of tiny lamps and the elegant architecture of the kiosques illuminated by hanging globes and chandeliers, the restless crowd as it breaks up into ever-changing groups and bright-coloured masses amidst the tinselled torch stands and flaring flambeaux, produces a series of kaleidoscopic effects before the eyes of the European spectators, who witness it from their seats at the top of the steps, which could only be imitated in England on the stage of a London theatre.

In addition to the main ghát, the opposite side of the stream is also provided with a short flight of stone steps, of equally substantial construction; and above the bridge are a Go-ghát, or slope for watering cattle, and two arcaded rest-houses, of good and ornamental brick masonry, which are generally crowded with poor travellers, who are allowed to stay there for 24 hours. These two buildings cost a further sum of Rs. 944, about half of which was a wedding gift from a Thakur, who preferred to spend the money in this way, rather than waste it in feeding a horde of lazy Brahmans, as is the custom on such occasions. No where else in the whole length of its winding course can the little river boast of possessing so handsome and complete a set of artistic adornments.

In imitation of the precedent thus established, the Hindu residents of the town are now building a second Ghát, a little higher up the stream, in connection with the temple of Rámesvar. This they propose to call 'the Lachhman Ghát,' in honour of Rája Lachhman Siṅh, who has been a Deputy Collector in the district for the long period of 17 years, and who is highly and deservedly esteemed by all classes of the community. He is not only one of the most able Revenue officers in the service, but he is also a man of scholarly tastes and literary acquirements: two of his vernacular translations from the Sanskrit—the Sakuntalá in prose and the Megha-dúta in verse are excellent specimens of pure and elegant Hindi composition. He has also compiled in English a Memoir of the district, which is full of accurate information on all matters of local interest.

From the town side the bridge and ghát are approached by a spacious thoroughfare, 150 feet wide, with a double row of trees, where a market is held twice a week, which is largely attended by the people of the neighbouring villages, for dealings in cloth and miscellaneous petty wares