Page:Oriental Scenery — One Hundred and Fifty Views of the Architecture, Antiquities, and Landscape Scenery of Hindoostan.djvu/13

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is a fort built by Rajah Bulwunt Sing, and considerably improved by his son Cheyt Sing. Near to this fort the latter Rajah began to erect a temple for the Hindoo worship, the basement story only of which is completed; it is of freestone, and much admired for the richness of its ornamental parts, and the very extraordinary degree of sharpness and precision in their execution.

Ramnugur is about three miles above Bernares.

 

the natives this favourite Tree is called the, and by Europeans the. It is a species of the fig, and bears a small red fruit. In every village they are to be met with. Small temples are usually built under them, where frequently may be observed fragments of mutilated idols, the work of Mahommedan intolerance, which are again often collected by the patient Hindoos, and, though defaced, are still regarded with veneration.

This Tree, the Bramins assure the people, proceeds from another more sacred one, which is growing within a very ancient temple, under ground, in the fort of Allahabad; and, notwithstanding the distance is not less than two hundred miles, the story obtains an easy belief from credulous devotees, who cheerfully pay the sacred fee that admits them to a ceremonial adoration of it.

Gyah is near three hundred miles N. W. from Calcutta.

 

Gauts at Bernares are the most considerable of any on the Ganges. The houses on the river side are occupied for the greater part by religious Hindoos. Vast multitudes of devotees, and others, resort to this city to perform penance, and transact mercantile affairs. An opinion prevails amongst them, that drawing their last breath at Cossi (the ancient name of this holy city) is a circumstance much in favour of their enjoyment of future happiness.

Bernares is four hundred and sixty miles N. W. from Calcutta, on the eastern bank of the river.

 

was the son of the Emperor Jehangire. His tomb is situated amidst trees of considerable magnitude in a handsome garden, laid out in the Hindoostan taste, with paved walks, avenues and fountains.

The Mausoleum is built of freestone upon a paved terrace, and the whole has a grand effect.

Sultan Chusero died in the year 1621.

 

Gate is of red stone and white marble, elegantly ornamented. The spandals over the arches are decorated with foliage of various coloured stones inlaid. The Taje Mah'l is a Mausoleum of white marble, built by the Emperor Shah Jehan, in the year 1631, for his favourite Queen; and is considered by the natives as the most beautiful work of the kind in Hindoostan. The Emperor also lies interred here.

The space between the gate and the tomb is converted into a garden, with avenues of trees, fountains, beds of flowers, &c. The river Jumna washes the lofty walls of the terrace on which this celebrated building stands.

Agra is distant from Delhi southward about one hundred and thirty-seven miles. 