. The Indian empire: history, topography, geology, climate, population, chief cities and provinces; tributary and protected states; military power and resources; religion, education, crime; land tenures; staple products; government, finance, and commerce . llperiods of the year, presents a broad surface of sparkling water; and as it winds through arichly-wooded country, clothed with eternal verdure, and interspersed with stately build-ings, the stranger feels that banishment may be endured amid scenes of so muchpicturesque beauty, attended by so many luxurious accompaniments. The usual landing
. The Indian empire: history, topography, geology, climate, population, chief cities and provinces; tributary and protected states; military power and resources; religion, education, crime; land tenures; staple products; government, finance, and commerce . llperiods of the year, presents a broad surface of sparkling water; and as it winds through arichly-wooded country, clothed with eternal verdure, and interspersed with stately build-ings, the stranger feels that banishment may be endured amid scenes of so muchpicturesque beauty, attended by so many luxurious accompaniments. The usual landing-place, Champaul Ghaut, is formed by a magnificent flight of stone steps, ascending fromthe water to a noble esplanade, which opens to the town by a triumphal arch of fineproportions, and supported by columns of elaborate design. Passing beneath this orna-mental structure, a wide plain (or meidan), occupying a spacious quadrangular area, isintersected by broad roads which lead towards the interior. On two sides of this quad-rangle, a part of the city and of the fashionable suburb of Chowringce extend houses are, for the most part, detached from each other, or are connected only by long * Pari. Papers (East India Company), 1772. p \pi. THE INDIAN EMPIRE ILLUSTRATED. 67 ranges of raised terraces, surmounted, like the flat roofs of the houses, with many instances pillared verandahs extend the entire height and width of the buildings,only intersected by spacious porticos : the architectural effect of the interminable clustersof columns, balustered terraces, and lofty gateways, occasionally intermingled withbrilliant foliage and shrubs of surpassing loveliness, is indescribably beautiful. Thematerial of the houses is termed puckha—brick coated with cement of dazzling whiteness;and although the claims of the City of Palaces^ to high architectural merit have beenquestioned, and there may be many faults discoverable when tested by the strict rules ofart,
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