22 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



graceful tamaxind, on which the eye rested with 

 delight. 



On the one hand lay Golconda, with its lofty 

 rock-built citadel, bastioned walls, and loop-holed 

 battlements ; and on the other rose those magni- 

 ficent structures of ancient days, the tombs of the 

 kings, with their massive domes, gigantic cupolas, 

 towering minarets, and stately piazzas. 



Many changes have taken place since the last 

 of the Kootub Shawee dynasty was placed in his 

 regal sepulchre. His kingdom has passed away 

 into the hands of strangers, and his very name is 

 now forgotten in the land where he was once pre- 

 eminent ; still, these time-worn but stately monu- 

 ments will attest to many succeeding generations 

 the splendour and magnificence of the ancient rulers 

 of Hindostan. 



No such works are carried on in the present day ; 

 and what makes these buildings more remarkable 

 is, that the immense blocks of granite with which 

 they are constructed have had to be transported 

 from long distances, none being procurable in the 

 immediate vicinity. The stupendous domes of 

 these royal mausoleums were formerly ornamented 

 with inlaid enamel of difierent colours, forming 

 beautiful arabesques ; but time, aided by the de- 

 predations of the ignorant, has succeeded in ob- 

 literating a great part, and it is only in the more 

 sheltered and out-of-the-way places that this beau- 

 tiful enamel can be seen in the same freshness of 



