228 RIFLE AXD SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



"We had an introduction to the Seth, or banker at 

 Muttra, said to be the richest man in India, and worth 

 twenty-three millions sterling. This is no doubt an 

 exaggeration ; but he keeps up almost regal state here, and 

 has palaces, retainers, and sowars like a native prince. He 

 is now away on a pilgrimage, but his vakeel called, and put 

 carriages and horses at our disposal. I was not sorry to 

 exchange the Tehsildar's Arab for a nice-looking little 

 country-bred horse. 



In the afternoon the Seth sent us a carriage to drive to 

 Bindhaban, one of the most sacred places in Northern India, 

 although most of its temples are modern, and none more 

 than two or three hundred years old. Here, and along the 

 Jumna's banks, lay the scenes of many of Krishna's exploits. 

 The little pastoral episode with the Gopis, whose clothes he 

 stole whilst they were bathing in the river, is said to have 

 occurred at Bindhaban. 



