Page:Picturesque Nepal.djvu/137

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PATAN
77

fact that its "glory has departed." There is much that is left in the squares and streets of this ancient capital which still preserves its original beauty, but at the same time it carries the air of a city whose prosperity is a thing of the past. Situated about two miles to the south-east of Katmandu, in size it is still the largest of the towns of Nepal, but is only a ghost of its former self when it was a wealthy, powerful, and important place, the residence of one of the Newar kings. For now Patan "sleeps in the dust," and although boasting of 20,000 inhabitants, there is none of the bustle, activity, and opulence which are visible throughout Katmandu and Bhatgaon. It is "a city of conquered Newars and vanquished Buddhism." In 1768 Patan surrendered to the Gurkhas, and like Babylon

"set wide her two-leav'd brass
To let the military deluge pass,"

and the city was given up to plunder. History relates that this was accompanied by great barbarities, the nobility and principal families being put to the sword, while the unfortunate