ORIENTAL SCENERY.
First Series.
No. I.
EASTERN GATE OF THE JUMMA MUSJED, AT DELHI.
This Gate of the Jumma Musjed, or principal place of worship of the Mahommedans, was erected, together with the Mosque, by the Emperor Shah Jehan, in the year 1650 of the Christian era. The materials are of reddish stone, brought from the neighbouring Mewat hills, and white Cashmerian marble. The spires on the small domes are gilt. The folding doors are covered with brass, very neatly ornamented with a regular design in basso relievo. The whole is of excellent workmanship.
The figures, &c. represent the Killadar, or governor of the fort, with his usual attendants.
Delhi, the residence of the Mogul Emperor, is about nine hundred and seventy-six miles N. W. from Calcutta, in lat. 28° 40′ north, long. 77° 40′.
No. II.
HINDOO TEMPLES AT BINDRABUND, ON THE RIVER JUMNA.
These Edifices are built of stone, in the style of ancient Hindoo architecture: one of them is still in tolerable preservation; it appears to have been built with considerable care, and the ornamental parts are executed in a very good taste. The basement story contains the idol Seva, to whom this temple is dedicated.
At what period they were erected could not be learnt: indeed, to ascertain the date of any of the Hindoo buildings, not merely modern, is exceedingly difficult, and it rarely happens any information can be obtained deserving credit.
Bindrabund is about seventy miles southward of Delhi, a large, populous, and very ancient town, principally inhabited by Hindoos.
No. III.
THE COTSEA BHAUG, ON THE RIVER JUMNA, AT DELHI.
Cotesa Bhaug, so called from the bhaug, or garden, within this quadrangular building, which was erected by the Cotsea Begum, a Mohammedan lady, in the reign of the Emperor Akbar, about two hundred years since. It is built with stone, and covered in part with stucco of a very durable nature. The apartments receive light principally from the garden side, excepting the octangular projections at the angles. The roof is smoothly terraced, and commands a fine view of the city of Delhi and the river Jumna. The garden, in which beds of flowers and fountains are interspersed, is laid out in straight walks paved with freestone. On the south side adjoining the outer wall, there is a mosque, and on the north is the grand entrance to the Cotsea Bhaug.
