Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/382

 374 LUC rebel begam held her court here, and it was in one of the stables near this that our captives were kept for weeks. Proceeding along the roadway, we pass close by a tree paved round the roots with marble, under which Wajid Ali Shah used to sit in the days, when the great fair was held, dressed in the yellowish clothes of a faqir. Moving onwards we pass under the great Lakkhi gate (so called from having cost a lakh in building), and come into the magnificent open square of the“Qaisar Bágh proper, the buildings round which were occupied chiefly by ladies of the Harem. In the mouth of August a great fair used to be held here, to which the whole town was admitted. Proceeding past the stone Bárahdari, now fitted up as a theatre, and under the western Lakkhi gate, which corresponds to the eastern one just described, we have on our left the building known as the Qaisar Pasand, surmounted by a gilt semicircle and hemisphere. It was built by Roshan-ud-daula, the minister of Nasir-ud-din Haidar, and confiscated by Wajid Ali Shab, and given by him as a residence to a favourite mahal (concubine) Máshúq-us-Sultán. In the under-stories of this building the Dhaurahra party of captives were confined, and from it they were taken to be killed. On the right is another Jilaukhána corres- ponding to the eastern one, by which we entered the palace, and turning down it we find ourselves outside the Qaisar Bágh, and opposite the Sher Darwáza, or Neil gateway, under which General Neil was killed by a dis- charge of grape shot from a gun posted at the gate of the Qaisar Bágh which we have just left. So much was done for the city during native times Dispensaries, schools, and other public buildings have been established since: nor should mention be omitted of the magnificent hospital which is due to the munificence of Mahárája Drighijai Singh, of Balrampur. It is situated in the high lands adjoining the Residency grounds, and faces the Bailey-guard road; it can make up one hundred beds. The people, their religion, and condition.--The city population consists for the most part of Musalmans, Kúyaths, Brahmans, Chhattris, Baniáns, Rastogis, Jauharis, Khattries, and Kashmiri Brahmans. It is worth noticing that the num of Káyaths, Moslems, and Baniáns is unusually large, the others come next. Brahmans.—The Brahmans are chiefly of the Kanaujia and Gaur tribes; they are rarely in service, and consequently are of little importance ; they depend mainly upon the charity of other Hindus. Few of them are well off. Chhattria.—The number of this class is very limited, and it also is very insignificant. Kúyaths.—Different opinions have hitherto been held as to the position of this caste. Some English author places them at the head of the Sudras, others between Chhattria and Vaishyas. The Hindu Shastris were until lately not unanimous, some pronounced them as Sudras, others placed them in the Chhattri order, while a follower of the Padum Puráns des- cribed them as the descendants of Chitr Gupt, and the offspring of the