Page:Imperial India — An Artist's Journals.djvu/106

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84
IMPERIAL INDIA.

Next morning was fine, and I had another opportunity of seeing the gardens. There are, as I said, four pavilions, Gopal Bawhun, where the Maharajah transacts his business; Sudra Bawhun, where we live; Krishna Bawhun, where the ladies are cooped up; and Nuno Bawhun, of the inhabitants of which I know nothing. There is also a kind of open summer-house, called Sāwun Bawhun, looking over the sacred tank. The whole thing

TANK AT DEEG.

was built by Suraj Mal, one of the earliest Rajahs of Bhurtpore, and the first to take that title. I have begun two sketches, one looking down the principal walk (which is a kind of imitation of the Taj), towards the Sāwun Bawhun, and the other of the largest tank: the latter is really a wonderful place, frequented by innumerable blue pigeons, which here, as in Venice, are sacred. There are also many peacocks strutting about: they are sacred to Khrishna, as indeed are all blue things; Khrishna himself being represented as a blue man.

I had a good sitting from His Highness. He was very polite,