ALIO ARIL 219 



The greater part of this amount has lately been devoted 

 to the Taj, and the buildings in the fort have suffered 

 accordingly. Part of Jehangir's palace is utilised as offices; 

 the finest portion overlooking the river Jumna is untouched, 

 but in a sad state of decay. The red sandstone of which 

 it is built is fast crumbling, and the walls and colonnades 

 are more or less in ruins. It stands on a commanding- 

 site, bordered by the bastioned river wall. This also is 

 in a bad way, full of gaping rents, and bulging ominously 

 outwards. Unless something is done, sooner or later it 

 must topple over into the river, and bring down the 

 Moghul palace in its fall. 



Monday. — We left Agra by train, and arrived at 

 Aligarh in time for luncheon, which our servants had 

 ready waiting for us at tin' dak bungalow. In the after- 

 noon the Tehsildar called, and regretted he could not get 

 horses until Wednesday, so we had to pass Tuesday here. 



The neighbouring town goes by its ancient Hindoo name 

 of Koil, but although undoubtedly of great antiquity, there 

 is little of interest to see. It was at Aligarh, Seindiah 

 organised his European drilled regiments, commanded by 

 De Boigne, Perron, Thomas, and others. The fort is still 

 in good preservation but uninteresting, and is in the style 

 of fortification of the beginning of the century, with earthen 

 ramparts and a wet ditch. Close by is Perron's house, in 

 a lovely garden enclosed by loft}' walls. The building, 



