Page:Oriental Scenery — One Hundred and Fifty Views of the Architecture, Antiquities, and Landscape Scenery of Hindoostan.djvu/184

Rh No. VII.

SANKRY DROOG.

view is taken from the north-west side of Sankry Droog, one of the largest of those fortified hills that occur so frequently in the Carnatic. It is situated near the eastern limits of the Coimbatoor district; was formerly in the possession of Tippoo Sultaun, but taken by the English under Lord Cornwallis.

From this elevated point the eye commands an extensive view of the vale and distant mountains. The scene is grand; but of that dreary aspect, which, being neither softened by the beautiful, nor elevated by the magnificent, produces in the mind a mixture of horror and melancholy. If the surface of our terrestrial residence presented to us prospects only of this kind, our state here would appear to have few temptations. The fortress in which the spectator is placed seems elevated almost into the clouds; its sides are in many parts formed of perpendicular cliffs; it is moreover surrounded with every impediment, natural or artificial, that can render access either impossible or difficult; and all this is to enable one little tyrant to resist the hostility of another, or to favour his own projects of vengeance or plunder. The plain below, extending as far as the eye can reach, is one vast uninterrupted jungle; a rank, entangled, and impenetrable vegetation, swarming with its peculiar inhabitants, many of which are no less terrible to man than to themselves; and the whole expanse is one scene of inextinguishable warfare, where, urged by hunger, lust, or cruelty, mutual destruction rages without intermission. In fact, while we contemplate the nature and situation of the place, with the circumstances combined with it, we cannot but be strongly impressed with an idea of the ferocious and sanguinary propensities of all animated nature.

In the distance may be seen the river Cavery, where, quitting the hilly country, it first makes it appearance in the plains of the Carnatic.

 No. VIII.

NEAR BANDELL, ON THE RIVER HOOGLEY.

village of Bandell, near to which this view was taken, is situated on the western bank of the river Hoogley, one of the most considerable branches that serve to convey the mighty flood of the Ganges into the ocean. The Hoogley quits the parent stream at Jellinghy; and after passing the cities of Kishnagur, Hoogley, and Calcutta, proceeds by a rapid current to the sea, into which it falls in the bay of Bengal.

Temples and other sacred structures of the Hindoos occur frequently on the banks of the Hoogley; and these buildings, of various forms, and in different situations, exposed or half concealed among deep and solemn groves, no less holy in the popular opinion than the edifices they shelter, give an air of romantic grandeur to scenes that are successively presented to those who pass along this interesting river.

The small monumental erection in the centre of this view, as well as the obelisk near it, rudely carved in wood, are called Suttees; and though possessed of no sculptural elegance, are most curious memorials of the perversion of human intellect, having been raised to commemorate the immolation of certain unfortunate females, who, in compliance with a horrid custom among the Hindoos, had been induced to give the last dreadful proof of conjugal fidelity, by a voluntary death on the funeral pile of their deceased husbands. To the disgrace of human nature, this practice has prevailed during a long succession of ages in Hindoostan; and, what is incomprehensible, among a people distinguished for their mild and inoffensive manners; but every feeling heart must rejoice that, with equal wisdom and humanity, it has been expressly prohibited in all the territories over which the authority of the British government extends; and although the absurdities of superstition are not to be at once wholly annihilated by public edicts, (for prejudice takes a deeper root in the mind than truth itself,) this atrocious rite can now only be performed by stealth, and it is believed that examples at this time, even in secret, but rarely occur in the British Oriental dominions.

 No. IX.

SICCRA GULLEY, ON THE GANGES.

point of land here projecting into the river Ganges is called Siccra Gulley, from a military pass of that name in the adjoining hills. At this place is commonly an assemblage of small vessels, which, together with the craft of various descriptions that appear scattered over the surface of this widely extended river, produce a most impressive effect of commercial activity. The sentiment that spontaneously arises from so manifest a proof of a numerous and well employed population, adds greatly to the pleasure we receive from the picturesque beauties of the scene, which a combination of delightful circumstances renders perfectly