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Gwalier, which is seen from Cherowry, is ihrough Nowgong; but 

 on descending the hills we saw no more of that lolly fortress until 

 we arrived within two miles of it. 



Gwalier stands on a high hill in a circular valley, remarkable 

 for the unusual regularity of its summit, extending about a mile 

 from north to south. The town is situated below; great part of it 

 now in a ruinous state, and the remainder very thinly inhabited, 

 occasioned by a dreadful famine, with which this part of the coun- 

 try has been lately visited, in addition to the wars and revolutions 

 that had previously desolated it. Gwalier stands pleasantly be- 

 tween the circuit of the hill, and a river flowing in its front. The 

 fort is said to have existed for eighteen hundred years, being first 

 built by Rajah Surej Silmg; from that time it underwent many 

 alterations and improvements by different sovereigns, who erected 

 several palaces, still conspicuous on the eastern face. The most 

 elegant was built three hundred years ago, by a rajah named 

 Maun Silmg, whence it is called Maun Mhunder; it is beautified 

 with enamel of various colours, still bright and vivid. Gwalier 

 was taken from him by the grandfather of Akber, and has since 

 been in the possession of too many conquerors to enumerate. 



We arrived at Gwalier on the 2d of May, and remained two 

 days, to recruit our attendants and cattle after our late marches 

 through the most rugged country that had occurred in our whole 

 journey at this hottest season of the year. This place is still very 

 interesting. Amidst a variety of ruined buildings, is a handsome 

 serai; some parts of it are kept in tolerable repair, to answer the 

 benevolent purpose for which it was erected; where a number of 

 people, chiefly women, called Metrahnees, take up their abode to 



