258 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



assault — first by Wellesley in the Maratha war, and 

 secondly by Sir Hugh Rose in the Mutiny — speaks won- 

 ders for the pluck of our soldiers. After its recapture 

 from the mutineers, and the reinstatement of the faithful 

 Sindhia, the fort was garrisoned by H.M.'s 52nd Regi- 

 ment, whose hospitality I had previously enjoyed. The 

 mess-room in the old Maratha palace had a most inter- 

 esting outlook through a large window in the stern old 

 walls, facing the native city, which lies in the plain below, 

 buried in green foliage, with the roofs and minarets peep- 

 ing through the trees. At night the twinkling of numerous 

 lights and the hum of a teeming population contrasted 

 with the strains of the regimental band playing in the old 

 courts of the palace. 



Having procured camels and tents, my march through 

 the jungle districts of Bundelkhand commenced. They 

 were wild districts, and there were many stories told among 

 the villagers of Tantia Topi and his followers having fled 

 to these jungles and made their last stand. 



The Jhansi division, now under a Commissioner, in- 

 cludes the districts of Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Jalaun, 

 which formerly contained extensive forests ; but, owing 

 apparently to the natives having worked the iron deposits 

 found in many places, the timber had been cut down, and 

 little remained but scrubby bushes and long grass, 

 which covered extensive areas. These are called dhangs, 

 and are used for grazing cattle and cutting grass and fire- 

 wood for use at Jhansi. 



There is a large area of country waste and capable of 

 growing fine timber. Teak thrives well, and is found along 

 the banks of the Betwa river, but no fine trees exist, 

 except the usual fruit-trees, mahuas and mangoes, which 

 have been protected by the natives ; also the pipal and 

 banian. There is no object in nature more venerable 



