103 



not stay to copy, as several detached parties from the fortress of 

 Fazal-poor hovered near us, in the rear. 



A Mahratta general assured me this reservoir cost fifteen lacs 

 of rupees, or one hundred and eighty thousand pounds sterling; 

 which is not improbable, when it is known that in the Guzerat pro- 

 vince, in the space of several hundred square miles together, not 

 a stone is to be met with; we must also recollect the former 

 wealth of Guzerat, and the execution of the work, when the price 

 of labour was comparatively trifling. I have already mentioned 

 the encomium lavished on such public benefactors by sacred and 

 profane writers: to construct a Bhouree of this kind establishes 

 the founder's fame throughout Hindostan. 



About two o'clock we encamped near Pad rah, a large town in 

 the Brodera Purgunna, defended by a brick wall and irregular 

 towers; the houses are well built, the town populous, and the 

 surrounding country highly cultivated. The Brodera district is one 

 of the richest in Guzerat; the land divided into extensive enclo- 

 sures, the hedges adorned with mango and tamarind trees: the 

 latter, then in fresh verdure and full bloom, diffused a fragrant 

 odour, and afforded a refreshing shade. The banian trees near 

 Padrah, from their amazing size, appeared coeval with the deluge, 

 and formed a canopy for our troops impervious to the meridian 

 sun: they were filled with monkeys, squirrels and peacocks, all 

 favoured and protected by the Hindoos. The country abounded 

 with antelopes, deer, hares, porcupines, partridges and quails; the 

 lakes and rivers were covered with water-fowl; few encampments 

 could be more delicious. 



The following morning we marched ten miles to the banks of 



