248 RIFLE AND SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



This kind is peculiar to Ulwar, and forms the crest on the 

 coat- of- arms of the State. Some poignard-shaped knives 

 have carved crystal hafts, and they all are exquisitely 

 chased and inlaid with gold. One sword has loose pearls 

 enclosed in a groove in the blade, and at each cut the 

 pearls run from point to hilt. 



At the back of the palace is a piece of water, bounded 

 by the steep hill behind. The banks are enclosed with 

 walls of masonry, and broad steps all round lead down 

 to the water. 



Above, temples and chattris crowd every bit of 

 available space. The coup oVceil, with the rocky hill and 

 castle in the background, is quite lovely. 



The interior of the palace is little different from 

 other royal abodes. There are the usual public and 

 private halls of audience, and the inevitable Shish-mahal, 

 with its looking-glass plastered walls. But a small ante-room 

 beyond is really a gem of its kind. The walls are covered 

 with decorations in gold and bright colours, as minutely 

 executed as the illuminations to an old missal. Like the 

 work of the patient monks, a labour of untold time, it is 

 still in progress. 



It is typical of the natives that the door of this gorgeous 

 room should be off its hinges, and tied up with a piece 

 of old rope ! The Indian mind will not admit that " order 

 is Heaven's first law," and you are quite likely to find 



