Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/833

 VI.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. — 791 fine cotton pieces of the first quality.”’ While writing these lines, the Raja evidently had in mind the unapproachable muslins of Dacca. Next he proceeds to describe the temples. The The accounts are vivid and life-like. He begins with temples. a description of the temple of Ahalya Bai, the famous Maharatta queen, who spent three lakhs of rupees on building a_ beautiful shrine at Benares. Next he describes the temple of Vishnu Mahadeva, Kanchi and others. The architectural points of the edifices are mentioned, and the use served by _their important apartments is also described at some length. The lanes of Benares were at one time scenes, Lanes of the city—a of bloodshed, assassination and plunder. The _ scene of - ৮৯ : bloodshed. Ahir Rajputs are described as always carrying swords with them. *‘‘ Each looks like a king of death (qq). If he happens to have a grudge against a man, he does not feel the least scruple in wound- ing him. Every month there is deadly strife, and many heads roll on the ground asa result.” Our author's account of the Hindu women who visited the shrines or lived holy lives in the city, during his time, verges on the poetic :— ৪৫০১. নই aes যষের আকার ॥ যার সঙ্গে যাহার আক্রোশ রোষ থাকে। অনায়াসে নির্ঘাত শাঘাত করে তাকে ॥ এইমতে প্রতি মাসে প্রায় হয় দ্বন্দ । ক্ষণমান্ত্রে গড়াগড়ি যায কত স্বন্ধ ॥",