Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/56

32 the flatness of its façade) from its position on the edge of the river at such a height as to be a commanding object. The glare of its glazed tiles has been softened down by the hands of time and weather, and presents no harsh contrasts and gaudy colours to offend the eye; the white clean interior seen through the archways contrasts in a pleasing way with the dark time-soiled exterior.

The revetments which confine the river are built of brick and rubble-stone very solidly, and sloping up in the usual way; they are further strengthened with various towers, break-waters, and counterforts; the foot of the revetment is protected by loose large rubble-stone pitched in. It is in this part of Patna alone that stone, rubble and dressed, are to be met with in any quantity, and this, as before noticed, tends to show that the old capital of Magadha with its numerous stone towers and buildings existed on this side, the stone used in the river revetments being the last remnants of the old city which the river had not swallowed up when modern Patna was founded by Shir Shah.

Near Khwâja Kalân’s Ghât, a masjid, dargâh, and gateway of some interest exist in a semi-ruinous condition. They date from Aurangzebe’s reign, and the tomb is said to be that of Dhum Shah, a local saint of limited fame. It is in form a square with four pillars on each face supporting the roof, which, however, no longer exists entire. The corner supports are groups of four pillars each, of the late Mughal style.

Vertically over the pillars rise arched ribs of sandstone cut to shape; over these were laid transversely slabs of stone, close fitting, in two layers, forming the roof, the arrangement being precisely similar to the way in which the hull of a boat is built,—namely, planks resting against ribs formed to shape. Stone lattices once closed the openings between the pillars, but they have disappeared. On the south a doorway once existed. The pillars are surmounted by double bracket capitals, and are supported on truncated pyramidal bases; the pillars are octagonal and of sandstone, as also the rest of the building; the whole was crowned once by a bold projecting cave.

The gateway leading to the ghat is of brick, faced with stone in the late Mughal style.

The masjid is a plain building well covered with whitewash. It is built of brick and stone. The plainness of the façade is broken by niches, and the front arches are ornamented. Four towers stand at the four corners. The roof is of