ORIENTAL TOWN PLANNING 23 



space, raising square platforms of earth on which 

 they pitch the tents. The whole of this extensive 

 square is then encompassed with kanates or 

 screens. The kanates are made of strong cloth 

 lined with printed Indian calico, representing 

 large vases of flowers." 



There are many who seem to think that this 

 love of form and beauty, so ingrained in the 

 Mughal character, found its only outlet and was 

 alone displayed in the royal gardens, forts, and 

 palaces. This was hardly the case in India 

 any more than it has been in Europe, though in 

 every clime art flourishes most vigorously when 

 to the inspirations of race and religion a personal 

 stimulus is added. In Mughal times it was a 

 pious act to plant avenues of trees to shade the 

 wayfarers on the great high-roads. Gardens, 

 and orchards too, were founded by private 

 persons for the public benefit, very much after 

 the manner of our old English foundations and 

 almshouses. Town planning, about which there 

 has been so much talk in England of recent years, 

 was an art carried out on a grand scale by the 

 great Emperors of India and Persia ; and I 

 doubt if New Delhi, even when finished, will 

 contain anything so fine as the Chenar Bagh, 



