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57 chapters
INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
In the month of October, 1589, a body of English merchants addressed a memorial to her majesty, Queen Elizabeth, requesting licence to equip three ships for the purpose of trading to the East Indies: this request appears to have been favourably received, and in 1591 the first English commercial voyage was commenced in three vessels. It proved a disastrous one; but considerable experience was obtained, and the ardour of the English merchants was but little damped by the result. In 1599 an associa
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FORT WILLIAM.
FORT WILLIAM.
Fort William, the citadel of Calcutta, is situated on the left bank of the Hoogly, about a quarter of a mile below the town; it is a European fortification, and was called Fort William in honour of his majesty King William the Third. This Citadel was commenced by Lord Clive soon after the Battle of Plassey, which was fought in 1757; it is capable of containing 15,000 men, and the works are so extensive, that 10,000 would be required to defend them efficiently. The works do not make an imposing a
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PRINSEP’S GHĀT.
PRINSEP’S GHĀT.
The audience are now requested to imagine they have embarked upon the Hoogly, off Prinsep’s Ghāt, the first landing-place of importance that is met with on approaching the City of Palaces. James Prinsep, Esq., died in 1840, and his fellow-citizens in Calcutta erected this ghāt to his memory, as having been one of the leaders of science in India, the promoter of every good work, a faithful and useful public servant, and a warm and true friend. The building in the distance is St. Peter’s, the garr
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THE WATER GATE.
THE WATER GATE.
The Water Gate of Fort William is now before you, and the horsemen are on the Esplanade,—a road extending by the river side, from Chandpaul Ghāt, to Garden Reach. This is the favourite ride and drive, during the early morning and in the cool of the evening, of all the inhabitants of Calcutta. A dinghī , a native boat covered with matting, is going up the river, filled with gharas , or jars of coarse, red earthenware, used for holding water. The Governor-General’s pleasure boat, called the Sona m
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BĀBŪ GHĀT.
BĀBŪ GHĀT.
This building was erected by a wealthy native gentleman, and therefore termed Bābū Ghāt—the title Bābū , given by Hindūs, is equivalent to Mr. or to Esq., and is now as common as the latter terms are among us. Numerous small boats are crowding by the steps, and a dinghī has just put off. A ferry boat with passengers is crossing from the opposite side of the river, in which a chaukidār , or native policeman, is conspicuous, with his sword and shield. The Bengālīs generally carry chatrs (umbrellas
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CHANDPAUL GHĀT.
CHANDPAUL GHĀT.
The people are seen crowding on Chandpaul Ghāt; and the low, semicircular building at the summit, is the Police Station. The octagonal building with its long chimney contains a steam-engine, used for raising water from the river, for the supply of the town, watering the roads, &c.; but the water used for drinking and culinary purposes, is brought from the tanks by water-carriers. It is believed that this was the first steam-engine set up in Bengal. The water passes from the engine-well i
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THE STEAM MILLS.
THE STEAM MILLS.
The fine buildings that now meet the eye are the Strand Mills, the property of the late Mr. Smithson, who erected them for the purpose of grinding corn by means of steam engines. It is said the speculation proved a failure, because the natives will not send their wheat to be ground in a mill in which it is mixed with the wheat of people of another caste, and with that sent by Europeans. It is the custom in Hindostan for each family to grind its own corn at home between two circular stones called
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THE MINT.
THE MINT.
The Taksāl , or Mint, a fine edifice of the Doric order, was planned and erected by Colonel Forbes, the present Mint master. The wide-ranging buildings of the new Mint, with their tall chimneys, appear to great advantage when viewed from the river. The Bengal Government set the first example of introducing extensive machinery, in the erection of the new Mint of Calcutta, which is filled with the best specimens of the skill and genius of Messrs. Watt and Co.; and the politeness of the Mint and As
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BENGAL COTTAGE SCENERY.
BENGAL COTTAGE SCENERY.
The scene now changes to the right bank, the opposite side of the river, at sunset. On the landing-place are natives bathing, and every where the margin of the water is studded with human beings. One man is filling his gharas (earthen water vessels), which he carries suspended by ropes from a bamboo poised on his shoulder. Bengalī women are bringing empty water jars to fill at the river side, and in the shade a woman is returning from the holy stream on her way to some idol, bearing on her hand
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THE FAKĪR.
THE FAKĪR.
The group in the foreground represents a Bābū , a native gentleman, awaiting the cool of the evening before he enters his palanquin; an attendant is supporting a chatr , or native umbrella, over his head, and the bearers with the palanquin are in attendance. In front is a Muhammadan Fakīr leading a white bull fancifully adorned with peacocks’ feathers, cowrie shells, coloured worsted tassels, bits of brightly-coloured cloth, and brass bells; the plume on the top of his neck is the tail of the yā
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THE NĀCH.
THE NĀCH.
The scene now represents the interior of the building during the celebration of the festival of the Dūrga-pūjā , or Dasera , held in honour of the goddess Dūrga, and the performance of a nāch by the dancing-girls of Hindostān. During the Dūrga-pūjā holidays, which last eight or ten days, the Hindūs lay aside all kind of business, save what necessity renders indispensable to pursue, and shops and offices are shut up while that great religious ceremonial is in course of being observed. The house,
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OFFERING OF LIGHTS TO THE RIVER.
OFFERING OF LIGHTS TO THE RIVER.
Having witnessed the nāch and some of the ceremonies of the Dūrga-pūjā festival, we now quit the illuminated area, and pass into the beautiful, the delicious moonlight of the East. Some Bengalī huts are beneath the trees; a chaukīdar , or native watchman, is standing before his hut, formed of straw and bamboo, on which his shield is hung; and a native beyond is cooking his evening meal. The soft moonlight falls upon the river, and upon its bank several Bengalī women are sending off little paper
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THE MURDA GHĀT.
THE MURDA GHĀT.
We now cross to the opposite side, the left bank of the Hoogly, to a murda ghāt , a spot where the funeral rites of the Hindūs are performed. The nearest relative, as is the custom, is stirring up the body, and pushing it into the flames with a long pole; much oil and ghī (clarified butter) is poured over the wood, to make it burn fiercely: in all probability the son of the deceased is performing the ceremony. We read of the Romans burning their dead, regard it in a classical light, and think of
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THE PĪPAL TREE.
THE PĪPAL TREE.
A Bengali village now appears beneath a group of cocoa-nut trees, beyond which the Pīpal -tree (ficus religiosa) is seen, with its roots exposed, the earth having been washed from them during the rains by the rising of the river. This tree is particularly venerated by the Hindūs; they believe its sacred branches to be the residence of the gods, and will never cut a branch to the injury of the tree. In front, a Hindū is sitting at worship by the side of the river; a charpāī , on which probably a
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PANHUTTĪ.
PANHUTTĪ.
The picturesque and singular group of Bengalī temples that now open on our view are at Panhuttī—a spot well known to the English as the Grove; it is about half way between Calcutta and Barrackpore. The Budjerow which is coming down the stream is apparently tenanted by a European gentleman; his khidmutgar (a servant who waits at table) is in the forepart of the vessel, and the cook-boat is astern—the sails of the latter in the torn and worn-out state in which they are so continually seen....
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THE WELL, AND PALM TREES.
THE WELL, AND PALM TREES.
The bamboo stage is erected for the purpose of watering the land. The river water is collected in a deep pool, between two brick walls, across which a small stage is fixed, on which a man stands, and his business is to empty the leathern skin which comes up full of water into the reservoir above, prepared for its reception. A long bamboo, with a large weight of earth attached to it at one end, is poised on a stage above, on which a native stands and causes the end towards the river to sink by th
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THE RATHJATTRA.
THE RATHJATTRA.
The scene represents the Rathjattra , or festival of the chariot, as it took place near Serampore, on the right bank of the Hoogly; and in this manner the ceremonies are performed in innumerable towns and villages in Hindostān; but the place most celebrated for this worship is the Temple of Jaganāth, in Orissa. In the scene representing a nāch , in the house of a Bengalī bābū , you beheld the figure of “Krishnŭ the Beloved” playing on a flute, standing by the side of the goddess Dūrga. At the Ra
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WATER CARRIERS.
WATER CARRIERS.
The natives of India carry water long distances in a couple of leathern bags prepared for the purpose and hung across a bullock; the behishtī , or water-carrier, by the side of the stream, is filling the skins from his mashk , or water-bag, and another man is bringing up his leathern bag for the same purpose. An Hindū girl is taking down a large net to the fisherman in the river, where he has just spread his own net. On the top of his head a small basket is fixed, into which he puts whatever he
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BARRACKPORE.
BARRACKPORE.
We now cross the Hoogly to Barrackpore, called by the natives Achánuck , corrupted from Charnock, the founder of Calcutta, who lived here. In the park is the country-house of the Governor-General; and the military cantonment affords accommodation to six regiments of native infantry. There is nothing remarkable about the Government House; it is a plain edifice of one story in height, with lofty rooms; the aviary, the menagerie, the garden, and a pleasant promenade, where the society of the statio
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THE TRAVELLER’S PALM.
THE TRAVELLER’S PALM.
Some cows and a buffalo are beneath a pīpal tree in the park. On the bank is the sarput , or sirkī , high jungle-grass that often rises to the height of sixteen feet; the bloom waves gracefully, bending to the wind, and elegantly recovers its position. The next is the castor-oil plant (ricinus communis), much cultivated in Bengal; the oil extracted from the seeds being used medicinally, as well as for burning in lamps. The tree with the broad and singular leaves is called the Traveller’s Palm: i
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PLASSEY.
PLASSEY.
The high walls of the Nawāb’s hunting-house at Plassey are now before you, and we cannot but regard the spot with feelings of the deepest interest, as it is the house in which Colonel, afterwards Lord Clive rested for a short time during the engagement. The famous battle of Plassey, which may be said to have decided the fate of India, was fought on the 23rd June, 1757, on the plains of Plassey, about thirty miles south of Moorshedabad; near the spot selected for the Nawāb Sooraj-oo-Dowlah’s entr
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THE ELEPHANT ESTABLISHMENT.
THE ELEPHANT ESTABLISHMENT.
Not far distant from Plassey is the Company’s Fīl-khana , or Elephant establishment, whence the animals are coming down to the side of the river. One of the elephants in the distance is raising his mahout , or driver, with his trunk, to enable him to gain his seat on his neck: another is drinking, taking up the water with his proboscis and pouring it into his own mouth; a third is lying in the river enjoying the coolness, whilst his attendants are scrubbing and cleaning him. A group of natives,
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MOSQUE NEAR MOORSHEDABAD.
MOSQUE NEAR MOORSHEDABAD.
A beautiful Masjid , or Mosque (a Muhammadan place of worship), which is on the bank forms a picturesque object; beyond which is a ghāt and some houses, near Moorshedabad, as also a long range of buildings, belonging to the palace of the Nawāb....
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MOORSHEDABAD—THE PALACE.
MOORSHEDABAD—THE PALACE.
Moorshedabad became the seat of the Bengal Government A.D. 1704. It was transferred to this place from Dacca, by the Nawāb Jaffier Khan, who was appointed Soubadar of Bengal by Aurungzebe. The City of Moorshedabad continued to be the seat of the British Government until A.D. 1771, when it was transferred to Calcutta. During the reign of Aliverdi Khan, a palace was erected at Moorshedabad, which was ornamented with pillars of black marble, brought from the ruins of Gour; this building is still in
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THE WRECK.
THE WRECK.
The scene now opens on the right bank of the Ganges. We quitted the Bhagruttī (a branch of the sacred river) at Sooty, and have now entered upon the main stream, at a point where it is of amazing breadth, the view of it only terminating with the horizon: the waves roar, and roll, and foam like those at sea; whilst a tūfān (one of the heavy storms of India) is blowing fiercely, accompanied by thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and utter darkness. The impetuous stream, rushing with the force of a tor
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A TŪFĀN.
A TŪFĀN.
The Budjerow is taking in her sails; and the sahib , or gentleman on board, is likely to go without his dinner, as his cook-boat, with her torn sails, will most likely be unable to come alongside, and hand it over to the servants. A voyage up the Ganges may be performed in boats, as various in shape as in size: a Pinnace is a first-class vessel; the next is a Budjerow, which draws very little water, and is divided into two commodious rooms, which may be furnished according to the taste of the tr
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RAJMAHAL.
RAJMAHAL.
The ruins of the palace of Rajmahal are on the bank. During the reign of Akbar, about 1591, Raja Maun Singh fixed upon this city as the capital of Bengal, and changed its name to Raja-Mahul—the Raja erected the palace, and surrounded the town with a rampart of brick and other fortifications. In 1608, the seat of government was removed hence to Dacca, by Islam Khan; but in 1639, the Sultan Shah Shuja brought it back again, and strengthened the fortifications, of which, however, few traces are now
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SĪCKRĪ-GALĪ.
SĪCKRĪ-GALĪ.
A country vessel is being towed by her crew round a rocky point; each man has his own gūn , or track-rope, fastened to a short, thick piece of bamboo, which he carries over his shoulder. A Pinnace, or budjerow, tracks, with ten or twelve men, upon one rope only. The Sīckrī-galī pass, during the Hindū and Muhammadan Governments, was the commanding entrance from Bahar into Bengal, and was fortified with a strong wall; however, in 1742, a Mahratta army of cavalry passed into Bengal through the hill
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THE RAJMAHAL HILLS.
THE RAJMAHAL HILLS.
Beyond the heavy rain which is pouring down, the hills of Rajmahal are seen in the distance; they are beautifully wooded, and full of game of every description. No scenes can be more picturesque than those in the interior. The wild climbers hang from the forest trees in luxuriant beauty, especially that magnificent one, the cachnar (bauhinia scandens)—a specimen of its leaves gathered in these hills is in the Museum. The dandīs from the boats that anchor at Sīckrī-galī go up the hills in gangs t
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THE FOOLISH FAKĪR.
THE FOOLISH FAKĪR.
Beneath a group of beautiful palm-trees, a half-witted young Fakīr , adorned with peacocks’ feathers, is sitting and talking to the men around him, who regard as prophetic whatever his wandering and unsettled mind induces him to utter, and look upon him as the favourite of heaven—the natives treat persons thus afflicted with the greatest kindness, and supply them with food. A leaf of the fan palm, here represented, may be seen in the Museum. The whole group, as well as the trees, are portraits.
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SUNSET—A WILD SCENE.
SUNSET—A WILD SCENE.
The Ganges now presents an extraordinary picture, the expanse of water is very great, interspersed with low sand-banks; the sun is going down, and flocks of wild geese are passing to the other side the river. No human habitations are to be seen, nothing but the expanse of the broad river and its distant banks. After the heat of a day in India the coolness of the evening is most refreshing: the traveller quits his boats, and wanders on the banks of the Ganges, enjoying the wild, the strange beaut
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BENARES—RAJ GHĀT.
BENARES—RAJ GHĀT.
The appearance of Benares, from the Ganges, is very beautiful. It is covered with buildings to the water’s edge: the architecture of some is Hindū, of others Muhammadan; many of them are of imposing appearance and great picturesque beauty. The magnificent flights of steps called Ghāts , which descend deep into the river, are thronged at all times with people; some fetching water, others washing, and most performing their ablutions in the sacred stream. The view is surprisingly picturesque, and s
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THE MINARETS.
THE MINARETS.
The Madhoray Ghāt and musjid or mosque, are now before you—the mosque was erected by Aurunzebe, on the site and with the materials of the temple of Vishnū. The mosque has little architectural beauty to boast of, but the minars have been deservedly admired for their simplicity and boldness of execution. They are only eight and a half feet in diameter at the base, and the breadth decreases to seven and a half feet, while they have an altitude of 147 feet 2 inches, from the terraced floor of the mu
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RAJRAJESWURREE GHĀT.
RAJRAJESWURREE GHĀT.
On the sands in the foreground is the hut of a Baniyā , or grain merchant, from whom the dandīs procure chabenī , the parched grain of Indian corn (maize), also flour for their chappatīs . A group of pilgrims are seated on one side of the hut. Rajrajeswurree Ghāt, which is seen in the distance, takes its name from an ancient temple of Devī , under the appellation of Rajrajeswurree (“queen of queens”). The title Devī , is usually applied to Bhawanī. The façade of this building is a good specimen
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THE SNAKE CHARMERS.
THE SNAKE CHARMERS.
The group of natives seated on the ground are a particular cast of Hindūs, who profess to charm serpents, to reduce them to subjection, and to prevent their poison from proving fatal. They roam about the country, carrying a boa constrictor in a basket, which they twine around their necks and display to the passers by. They have also a number of the cobra di capello, which, being placed on the ground, rear themselves up, and, spreading out their hoods, sway themselves about in a fashion which the
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JULSYN GHĀT.
JULSYN GHĀT.
Julsyn Ghāt and Raj Bulubh Shīwala are now before you. On the terrace of the latter is a brahmanī bull: these animals walk about the buildings with seeming indifference, ascending the steps, mixing with the crowd, and constantly attending for their food. They are seldom disturbed; but when molested they are vicious, and will use their horns. The rice and flowers offered to the idols are swept up, and for the greater part eaten by the brahmanī bulls. The proverb says:—“At Benares you should be on
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MANIKURNĪKA GHĀT.
MANIKURNĪKA GHĀT.
A brahmanī bull is going up to the idol Ganesh, expecting a share of the flowers that are offered to the image. In the distance a band of pilgrims are coming down to fill their baskets with holy water; and in the foreground is a picturesque figure, also a carrier of holy water, which is put into small sealed bottles placed in baskets suspended from a bamboo poised on his shoulder, over which is a covering of red cloth. A tank of peculiar sanctity is now before you, on the steps of which men are
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THE HINDŪ SCHOOL.
THE HINDŪ SCHOOL.
In the Bengalī schools a boy learns his letters by writing them, never by pronouncing the alphabet, as in Europe; he first writes them on the ground with a stick, or his fingers; next with an iron style, or a reed, on a palm-leaf; and next on a green plantain-leaf. The Bengalī schoolmasters punish with a cane, or a rod made of the branch of a tree; sometimes a truant is compelled to stand on one leg, holding up a brick in each hand, or to have his arms stretched out, until he is completely tired
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THE BALANCING GOAT.
THE BALANCING GOAT.
In front of a beautiful Muhammadan Mosque a group is assembled around an Hindostanī juggler, with his goat, two monkeys, and several bits of wood, made in the shape of an hour-glass. The first piece he places on the ground, the goat ascends it, and balances herself on the top: the man by degrees places another bit of wood on the edge of the former; the goat ascends and retains her balance: a third piece, in like manner, is placed on the top of the former two pieces; the goat ascends from the two
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THE FORTRESS OF CHUNAR.
THE FORTRESS OF CHUNAR.
The scene now represents Chunar, a fortress of considerable natural strength, situated on an insulated rock, about 150 feet high, forming the extremity of a low range of hills, on the right bank of the Ganges, about eighteen miles from Benares. In December, 1765, the Company’s troops, commanded by Major Pemble, stormed the place, and were repulsed with severe loss. The defences were irregular, following the outline of the eminence on which they were erected: several heavy batteries were mounted
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THE PERSIAN WHEEL.
THE PERSIAN WHEEL.
A woman is sticking cakes of cow-dung on the wall to dry for fuel. This article, called oplā , is generally used by the poorer classes; 1280 cakes are sold for a rupee: when well prepared and dried it blazes like wood. On the right is a fine Persian wheel: the water is brought up in gharas , red earthen vessels fastened round its circumference; it is worked by two bullocks, and gives an abundant supply. A wheel of this sort is perhaps superior to any other method of drawing water....
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MIRZAPŪR.
MIRZAPŪR.
Mirzapūr is a military cantonment, famous for its beautiful ghāts, and noted for its carpet manufactory and cotton mart. Some remarkably picturesque Hindū temples are on the ghāts , with fine trees in the back ground. The cliff is abrupt, and the river is always crowded with vessels full of merchandise: steamers having plenty of cargo to land are generally detained here four or five hours. Mirzapūr is from Calcutta, via Bhagirathī, 748 miles, and by dāk route, 455. The scene before you is very s
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THE TIMBER RAFT.
THE TIMBER RAFT.
The picturesque ghāt of Sirsya is in the distance, in front of which is an enormous boat, called a Kutcher , or Kutchuā ; the bows and the stern are both square. A vessel of this description has frequently two rudders, like the one before you. It is laden with bales of cotton, which extend, supported on bamboos, far beyond each side of the boat. The next vessel is a large patailī , called a ghor-daul , or ghora-wal , because the bows are ornamented with a horse’s head. She is laden with salt. In
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ALLAHABAD.
ALLAHABAD.
The fortress of Allahabad was built by Akbar Shah in 1581. On the 11th February, 1765, the governor of the fort, Alī Beg Khan, surrendered it to the Company’s troops, under the command of Major Fletcher, and marched out with his garrison, under safe conduct. Thus in one week Chunar and Allahabad, the two most important fortresses in Shuja-oo-Dowlah’s possession, fell without loss into the hands of the English. The fortress is erected upon a point of land, stretching out into the waters at the ju
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THE SATĪ.
THE SATĪ.
The scene now before you represents a Satī , the burning of a Hindū widow with the corpse of her husband. The event here represented took place on the 7th November, 1828, near Raj ghāt, under the Mahratta bund (an embankment raised to prevent the encroachment of the Ganges). The woman was the wife of a rich buniyā (a corn-chandler), and she determined to burn on his funeral-pile. The magistrate sent for her, used every argument to dissuade her, and offered her money. Her only answer was, dashing
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SULTAN KHUSRŪ’S MAUSOLEUM.
SULTAN KHUSRŪ’S MAUSOLEUM.
The sarā’e , or caravansary, at Allahabad, built by Sultan Khusrū, is a noble one, and the gateway through which you pass to the bāghīcha , or garden bearing his name, is very fine. The garden is a large space of ground, enclosed by a high wall, containing three tombs and a baithakhāna , or pavilion. These palace-like tombs, amongst which is that of Sultan Khusrū’s, are splendid mausoleums. Tho first and largest monument is that of the Sultan, in which he is buried; it is a handsome building, an
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THE GRAM GRINDER.
THE GRAM GRINDER.
In front of a native village a woman is spinning, and on the right is another Hindū woman, a gram grinder. Gram ( chāna , cicer arietinum , chick pea) is used for the food of horses in India. It is ground in a chakkī , or mill, which is formed of two flat circular stones, the lower of which is generally fixed in the earth, and from its centre a peg passes through a hole in the upper stone, and forms a pivot on which the upper stone works. The gram is put in through this hole in the upper stone,
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HURDWAR.
HURDWAR.
Hurdwar, on the right bank of the Ganges, a place of great sanctity, is celebrated as the resort of Hindū pilgrims, in amazing numbers. Hurdwar, or Hurīdwar , (the gate of Hurī, or Vishnū,) is also called Gangū-dwāra —as at this place the Ganges, having traversed 150 miles from its secluded mountain birth-place, and having forced a passage through the last barrier or gate ( dwāra ), emerges in a broad clear stream upon the plains. Hurdwar contains many fine buildings parallel with the course of
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THE BATHING GHĀT.
THE BATHING GHĀT.
The principal bathing ghāt has been lately rebuilt in a most splendid manner by the Government of Bengal, under the superintendence of an officer of engineers; it is now both elegant and commodious, and will prevent the destruction of so many human beings, which so often occurred by the sudden rush of the devotees through the old and narrow ghāt to reach the water at the propitious moment, which was often at midnight. The auspicious moment is calculated by the Brahmans, who aver that a great inc
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BARH.
BARH.
The scene before you represents the encampment of the Commander-in-chief at Barh, at the foot of the hills, distant about thirty miles from Simla. Here the baggage elephants, and camels, deposit their loads, a part of which are carried up the mountains by the hill men; the remainder, with the carriages, palanquins, and tents, are either sent back to the plains, or placed in godowns belonging to a Simla firm at Barh. The ladies of the party are sitting in jampāns , ready to ascend “The Hills,” as
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SIMLA—THE CONICAL HILL.
SIMLA—THE CONICAL HILL.
The view now before you represents the conical hill at Simla; it was taken by Lieutenant-Colonel Luard from his house, called The Craigs. Simla is about 7000 feet above the level of the sea; it is not many miles from Rampore, the chief town in the valley of the Sutledge, and is one of the favourite places of resort of Europeans during the hot season. As the chosen retreat of Governors-General and Commanders-in-Chief, from the burning plains of India, the place has enjoyed for some years past man
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SIMLA.
SIMLA.
The view is a continuation of Simla; and one of the residences now before you is that of Mr. Gubbins, of the Bengal Civil Service. The hills are covered with the finest vegetation, and the views are beautiful. The evergreen oak flourishes in magnificence, the deodar fir rises to enormous height, and the bright crimson-flowered rhododendron is a forest tree , not a shrub, as you have it in England. Violets are under every rock, the wild notes of the hill birds are heard in every direction, and he
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FAGOO.
FAGOO.
On the Hill of Fagoo, here represented, is a Traveller’s Bungalow, constructed of wood. A group of Paharīs , or hill men, are on the right, and in the distance are the snowy ranges of the Himalaya. Water is procured from the khuds , as the deep narrow valleys between the hills are called, where it is found in little rills....
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THE GANGES.
THE GANGES.
This mountainous and picturesque scene represents the force with which the holy river rushes downwards from the deep recesses in the mountains, until it passes the last barrier of rocks, and emerges on the plains near Hurdwar. The dēodar , Pinus dēodara, rises to a magnificent height in these regions, sometimes measuring 100 feet: its oil, called dēodar , is used by the natives as a powerful remedy in rheumatic attacks. Leopards and bears inhabit the forests, and the musk deer is sometimes, thou
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THE SNOWY REGIONS.
THE SNOWY REGIONS.
As you approach Gangoutrī, you enter on the snowy regions; and in the scene before you, the hill men, with baskets of provisions, are toiling up the steep ascent, for which their stout and sinewy limbs are well adapted; and pilgrims are ascending the mountain. An English gentleman, seated beneath a small tent, is resting, refreshing himself, and enjoying the warmth of the fire his attendants have kindled, ere he re-commences the toilsome ascent of the snowy mountains....
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GANGOUTRĪ.
GANGOUTRĪ.
Gangoutrī, the source of the most sacred river in Hindostan, is now before you. The pious Hindū believes, that in this awful solitude Mahadēo sits enthroned in clouds and mist, amid rocks that defy the approach of living thing, and snows that make desolation more awful. Surrounded by gigantic peaks entirely cased in snow, and almost beyond the regions of animal and vegetable life, an awful silence prevails, except when broken by the thundering peals of falling avalanches. Cold, wild, and stupend
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THE MUSEUM
THE MUSEUM
is open for the inspection of those who have honoured with their presence the Diorama of Hindostan . The object of this work is to describe the numerous changes, which have taken place in the Dress of Military Men; first, during the time when armour was worn, but more particularly since it has been left off; with a view, by accurately delineating the various changes, to induce British Officers to reflect without prejudice on this important subject, and to form a just estimate of what is useful,
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