[17] The name has not been traced.  The reference is to Jains, who are
    specially careful of animal life.

[18] If this is a male figure it cannot represent the goddess Lakshmi. 
    Mrs. Parks (Wanderings of a Pilgrim, ii. 144) speaks of images of
    Rama and his brother Lakshmana, one of which may possibly be that
    referred to in the text.

[19] Tahkhana, an underground cellar.

[20] This account is fairly correct.  ’Although active saltpetre is met
    with under a variety of conditions, they all agree in this particular,
    that the salt is formed under the influence of organic matter.’—­(G. 
    Watt, Economic Dictionary, VI, part ii, 431 ff).

LETTER XX

Delhi.—­Description of the city.—­Marble hall—­The Queen’s Mahul (palace).—­Audience with the King and Queen.—­Conversation with them.—­Character of their Majesties.—­Visit to a Muckburrah.—­Soobadhaars.—­The nature of the office.—­Durgah of Shah Nizaam ood deen.—­Tomb of Shah Allum.—­Ruins in the vicinity of Delhi.  —­Antique pillars (Kootub) .—­Prospect from its galleries.—­Anecdotes of Juangheer and Khareem Zund...Page 289

My visit to Delhi, once the great capital of Hindoostaun, and the residence of the great Sultauns, has made impressions of a lasting kind, and presented a moral lesson to my mind, I should be sorry to forget in after years; for there I witnessed the tombs of righteous men in perfect repair after the lapse of many centuries, standing in the midst of the mouldering relics of kings, princes, and nobles, many of whose careers, we learn from history, was comparatively of recent date; yet, excepting in one solitary instance of Shah Allum’s grave, without so much of order remaining as would tell to the passing traveller the rank of each individual’s mausoleum, now either entirely a ruin or fast mouldering to decay.

The original city of Delhi presents to view one vast extent of ruins; abounding in mementos of departed worth, as well as in wrecks of greatness, ingenuity, and magnificence.  Why the present city was erected or the former one deserted, I cannot venture an opinion, neither can I remember correctly in what reign the royal residence was changed; but judging from the remnants of the old, I should imagine it to have been equally extensive with the modern Delhi.  A part of the old palace is still standing, whither the present King, Akbaar Shah,[1] occasionally resorts for days together, attracted perhaps by sympathy for his ancestors, or by that desire for change inherent in human nature, and often deemed essential to health in the climate of Hindoostaun.

The city of Delhi is enclosed by a wall; the houses, which are generally of brick or red stone, appear to good advantage, being generally elevated a story or two from the ground-floor, and more regularly constructed than is usual in Native cities.  Mosques, mukhburrahs, and emaum-baarahs, in all directions, diversify the scene with good effect; whilst the various shops and bazaars, together with the outpourings of the population to and from the markets, give an animation to the whole view which would not be complete without them.