Part 33 (1/2)

[1] This is incorrect. Hindu traditions refer to a deluge, in which Manu, with the help of a fish, makes a s.h.i.+p, and fastening her cable to the fish's horn, is guided to the mountain, and then he, alone of human beings, is saved.--J. Muir, _Original Sanskrit Texts_, part ii (1860), p. 324.

[2] This is merely a stupid folk etymology, comparing Kanauj with Cain.

[3] _Qil'a_.

[4] Kali Nadi, 'black stream', a corruption of the original name, Kalindi.

[5] _Tahsildar_.

[6] In the southern centre of the ruined citadel stand the tombs of Bala Pir and his son, Shaikh Mahdi. Shaikh Kabir, commonly called Bala Pir, is said to have been the tutor of the brother Nawabs, Dalel and Bahadur Khan. The former ruled Kanauj in the time of Shah Jahan (A.D. 1628-1651), and died after his deposition in 1666.--A. Fuhrer, _Monumental Antiquities and Inscriptions of the N.W. Provinces and Oudh_, 1891, p. 80.

[7] Horseshoes are often nailed on the gates of the tombs of Musalman saints, as at the mosque of Fatehpur Sikri.

[8] _Pir_, 'a saint, a holy man'.

[9] _Maqbara_, 'a sepulchre'.

[10] The Emperor Aurangzeb, A.D. 1658-1707.

[11] Khalifah, Caliph, one of the terms which have suffered degradation, often applied to cooks, tailors, barbers, or other Musalman servants.

[12] This may be the building known as Sita ki Rasoi, the kitchen of Sita, heroine of the Ramayana epic. It is described and drawn by Mrs. F. Parks (_Wanderings of a Pilgrim_, ii. 143).

[13] Butkhana.

[14] The tomb of the Saint Sa'id Shaikh Makhdum Jahaniya Jahangasht of Multan (A.D. 1308-81). Fuhrer, _op. cit._, p. 81.

[15] Many saints are credited with the power of changing the courses of rivers: see instances in W. Crooke, _Popular Religion and Folklore of N. India_, 2nd ed., ii. 218.

[16] This may be a variant of the story that after the capture of Chitor, Akbar weighed 74-1/2 _man_ (8 lbs. each) of cords belonging to the slain Rajputs.--J. Tod, _Annals of Rajasthan_, 1884, i. 349.

[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 G.o.ddess 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