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drinking, without gratefully blessing the name and memory of 

 the founder." 



Until this visit to Ahmedabad, I had no idea of the extent 

 of oriental magnificence; the palaces and splendid chambers de- 

 scribed in the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, appear no longer 

 over-charged or fabulous; excepting only the wonder-working 

 genii, called into action by Aladin's celebrated lamp. For I have 

 no doubt there was a time when the palaces and gardens at 

 Ahmedabad, almost realized the other descriptions of the luxu- 

 rious mansions in Balsora and Bagdad. I can, at least, have no 

 idea of any reality beyond those erected and adorned by Shah 

 Jehan and Sujaat Khaun. Homer must have been familiar with 

 such scenes, when he describes the palaces and treasures at Ithaca 

 and the Spartan court, especially where Telemachus thus addresses 

 Pisistratus. 



" View'st thou unmov'd, O ever-honour'd most! 

 " These prodigies of art, and wonderous cost ? 

 " Above, beneath, around the palace shines 

 " The sumless treasure of exhausted mines: 

 " The spoils of elephants the roofs inlay, 

 " And studded amber darts a golden ray ! 



" Mean time the lofty rooms the prince surveys, 

 " Where lay the treasures of the Ithacian race : 

 " Here ruddy brass, and gold refulgent blaz'd \ 

 ' ' There polish'd chests embroider'd vestures grac'd ; 

 " Here jars of oil breath'd forth a rich perfume, 

 " There casks of wine, in rows, adorn'd the room." Homer's Odyssey. 



Notwithstanding all its splendour, Ahmedabad was called by 

 Shah Jehan, who was long resident there, Guerdabad, or the city of 



