THE BUILDING OF A CHAR-BAGH 39 



"Shortly after coming to Agra, I passed the 

 Jumna with this object in view, and examined 

 the country, to pitch upon a fit spot for a garden. 

 The whole was so ugly and detestable, that I 

 repassed the river quite repulsed and disgusted. 

 In consequence of the want of beauty and the 

 disagreeable aspect of the country, I gave up my 

 intention of making a char-bagh ; but as no 

 better situation presented itself near Agra, I 

 was finally compelled to make the best of this 

 same spot. First of all I began to sink the large 

 well which supplies the baths with water ; I 

 next fell to work on the piece of ground on which 

 are the ambli (Indian tamarind trees), and the 

 octagonal tank ; I then proceeded to form the 

 large tank and its enclosure ; and afterwards 

 the tank and talar, or grand hall of audience, 

 that are in front of the stone palace. I next 

 finished the garden of the private apartments, 

 and the apartments themselves, after which I 

 completed the baths. In this way, going on, 

 without neatness and without order, in the 

 Hindu fashion, I, however, produced edifices 

 and gardens which possessed considerable regu- 

 larity. In every corner I planted suitable 

 gardens ; in every garden I sowed roses and 



