A EUX THROUGH KATHIAWAR. 241 



citadel must have been wellnigh impregnable if 

 resolutely defended by a few thousand men with a 

 sufficient supply of provisions. It is overshadowed 

 by the mighty peaks of Gi'rnar, and commands the 

 city below. The buildings above ground are Muham- 

 madan, though evidently built out of the remains of 

 ancient Hindu temples and palaces. The place of 

 honour is occupied by what must 'have been a really 

 splendid mosque, a Jumma musjid, of about 150 

 feet in length by 100 in breadth, with nearly 200 

 granite pillars. It is in a half-ruined state, but its 

 dimensions and beautiful shape are clearly apparent ; 

 and the granite columns, arches, and pulpit (the 

 latter made from one block of veined granite), 

 excite admiration. 



Eut more interest attaches to the older remains 

 of the Uparkot, especially its wells and excavated 

 temples. One of the former is of vast dimensions, 

 with both a large perpendicular shaft and a slanting 

 slope of steps cut down to it through the most 

 uncompact sandstone, which in some places is little- 

 harder than sand of the sea-shore. The water is 

 very good, as might be expected from its percolating 

 through such strata, forming a great natural filter. 

 This gigantic well is 120 feet deep, with a diameter 

 of about 100 feet. Another well appeared still 

 deeper, and has an excavated pathway running all 

 round it with windows looking into the well. Still 

 more curious were the underground rock -excavations 



VOL. v. Q 



