144 GARDENS OF THE PLAINS LAHORE 



to the Maharaja, a similar device exists for 

 cooling the rooms a row of small jets is placed 

 under the cornice outside the pavilion, so that 

 the whole building can be veiled in a fine spray 

 of water. 



A large baradari stands on the wall of the 

 upper terrace of the Shalimar above the reservoir. 

 The water passing through the building races 

 down a carved marble slope. At the foot of 

 this slope, standing out over the water, is a 

 beautifully carved white marble chabutra or 

 throne. These seats over the water, from their 

 commanding position and coolness, were always 

 the place of honour the Emperor's thrones in the 

 gardens. The early examples in Kashmir consist 

 simply of one large plain slab of black marble or 

 other stone, and serve as a bridge across the 

 stream as well as a seat. Later, as the canals 

 grew wider, these stones were replaced by small 

 thrones, their legs and little rails elaborately 

 carved, approached by stepping-stones or narrow 

 causeways. The little throne at Lahore has 

 somehow escaped the general destruction. The 

 low side -rails like most Mughal barriers, just 

 the height on which one can comfortably lean 

 one's elbow when sitting on the ground are 



