Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 1.djvu/493

 CHAPTER XXXV.

FATHĪPOOR SICRI AND COLONEL GARDNER.

Pilgrimage of Akbar Shāh to Fathīpoor Sicri—Shaikh Selīm Cheestie—The Jodh Baā'ī—Birth of Selim—The Tomb of the Saint—The Gateway—A Tradition—The Temple of Magic—The Zenāna—The Pachīsī Board—The Mint—Akbārābādee Rupees and Gold Mohurs—The Elephant Minār—A Child destroyed by a Wolf—Tomb of the Jodh Bā'ī—Agra built by Akbar—Sketches of remarkable Living Characters in India—Legality of a Marriage between a Christian and one of the Faithful—Colonel Gardner's Letter—Letter of Colonel Tod—Insult offered by Holkar—Colonel Gardner's Marriage—Tomb of Colonel Hessing—Cure of Influenza within the Four Walls—Death in a Steam-Bath.

1835, March.—The wedding having been deferred for a short time, I took the opportunity of returning dāk to Agra, having promised Colonel Gardner to be at Khāsgunge again in time to witness the ceremony. All this time my pretty pinnace had been awaiting my arrival. I determined to send her back to Allahabad with the cook-boat, and she sailed immediately. I also sent back the carriage and horses, keeping the buggy, Bokharu, the grey and black horse, to accompany me to Khāsgunge. The dāk trip gave me a severe cough and cold, and on my reaching Agra I was little fit for exertion. However, a party was proposed to visit Fathīpoor Sicri, formerly the residence of Akbar Shāh; my curiosity prevailed, and, notwithstanding my illness, I consented to accompany them.

11th.—Chār vajr, barī fajr, i. e. four o'clock, I was ready to start: the party of four dwindled to two, the others being laid up with influenza, and unable to quit their beds. My