Page:Oriental Scenery — One Hundred and Fifty Views of the Architecture, Antiquities, and Landscape Scenery of Hindoostan.djvu/244

Rh THE OBSERVATORY AT DELHI.

plates contain views of the, with many other mural instruments for astronomical purposes, situated at a short distance, southward from the walls of the city of Delhi.

Should it be thought these extraordinary works ought not to have been classed with the Antiquities of India, as it is believed by some that they were erected by Jaysigna, a Rajah of great reputation for his skill in the mathematical sciences, who lived in the seventeenth century, the Author hopes that the singularity, as well as the magnitude of such astronomical instruments, will be a sufficient apology for introducing them here.

A very minute account of these works is given in the fifth volume of the Asiatic Researches by Mr. Hunter.

 No. XXI.

A PAVILION BELONGING TO AN HINDOO TEMPLE.

view was taken near Mavelaporam on the Coromandel coast. Most of the Hindoo Temples in the southern part of Hindoostan have attached pavilions, which in general are much decorated.

They are principally used for the purpose of receiving the idol of the Temple, on those festival days when it is thought proper to make such an exhibition for the gratification of the populace. On those occasions it is conveyed to its situation with great pomp, amidst the acclamations of the people, by whom it is received with every token of enthusiastic rapture; and after the performance of certain religious rites, it is again returned to the temple with the same pageantry, and attended with the same frantic circumstances.

 No. XXII.

INTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE OF MANDESWARA, NEAR CHAYNPORE, BAHAR.

only entrance to this Temple is shewn in Plate XIII. of the present series. The plan of this apartment, being the principal one, is octagonal, with three recesses of a similar form to that by which it is entered. The idol Maha-Deva is placed in the centre on a square platform somewhat elevated, having pillars at each of the angles. The whole is constructed of granite, and in the ancient Hindoo style.

 No. XXIII.

A MINAR AT GOUR.

the fort of the ancient city of Gour, on the eastern side, this Minar or Tower is erected; but by whom, or for what purpose, cannot now be clearly ascertained. Two-thirds of this building from the base upwards is a polygon of twelve sides, the rest is circular. It is composed of brick and grey granite, constructed with skill, and in a very good taste. It is ascended by a stone staircase, and the height of the whole is eighty-four feet six inches. A view of one of the gates of the ancient city of Gour is given in the first series of Oriental Scenery, No. IV.

 No. XXIV.

THE CUTTUB MINAR.

celebrated Minar is situated about nine miles southward of the city of Shahjehanabad, (the modern appellation of Delhi,) and is reported to have been built by Cuttub Shah, who ascended the throne of Delhi, 1205. The general form and proportions of this lofty building are judicious, and the effect agreeable; the masonry, as well as the ornamental parts, are executed with great care and ability; its perpendicular height is two hundred and forty-two feet six inches, and in circumference at the base one hundred and forty-three feet. It is chiefly built of a reddish kind of granite, but the white which appears in the upper part is very fine marble: there is a spiral staircase leading up to the top, with occasional openings to the balconies, which were originally defended by battlements; but many of them are at present gone to decay, as well as a considerable part of the cupola. 