. 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 . rendering it expedientto burn down the native villages on each side of the line; while the termini, andstations between them, were protected by troops and artillery, to resist any attempt bythe rebels to carry off the governor-general and his suite, while engaged in the ceremonyof inaugurating the line. The fort at Allahabad is still an impo
. 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 . rendering it expedientto burn down the native villages on each side of the line; while the termini, andstations between them, were protected by troops and artillery, to resist any attempt bythe rebels to carry off the governor-general and his suite, while engaged in the ceremonyof inaugurating the line. The fort at Allahabad is still an imposing structme, having been preserved in excel-lent condition since it came into the exclusive possession of the East India Company in1801. The walls, which are of great elevation, enclose an extent of 2,500 yards; and,with the numerous bastions and towers, are pierced for artillery. A part of the fortressis built over a cavern, or subterranean temple of the Hindoos, dedicated to the worshipof Siva (the destroyer), the roof of which is supported by pillars of singular form andcolossal dimensions; and within this gloomy vault, sank deep into the bosom of the earth,a portion of the mysteirious rites enjoined to the pilgrims who visit the city of Allah. 5??raR I .v^ H THE INDIAN EMPIRE ILLUSTRATED. 123 must be performed, before the deity of the Hindoos can be propitiated. The cavern isvast, and profoundly dark. Its actual extent is not known to the present generation ofman; but it is asserted, and believed by the devotees who seek its gloomy recessesto extend as far as Delhi—a distance of more than 400 miles; and to be infested,for the greater part of the distance, by enormous serpents and noxious author of the Hand-Book for India and Egypt, who, some few years since, venturedinto the depths of this extraordinary temple of a fanatical creed (called by the nativesPeebulpooree), says—A fakir is constantly in attendance at the entrance to the cavern,who, for a small g
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidindianempire, bookyear1858
