48 



rao Duan and Appajce Tattea, two Mahratta chiefs of rank and 

 consequence, were deputed to wait upon him, and conduct the 

 embassy to the camp near M ultra. The same evening Appajee 

 arrived at Agra with a party of cavalry, and presented himself at 

 Taje Mahal, having left his colleague with a much larger escort 

 at Gou Ghaut, twelve miles from Agra. In consequence of this 

 arrangement, and the cattle and attendants being well refreshed, 

 the baggage was ordered to proceed on the following day; and 

 on the l6th they left the terrestrial paradise surrounding the Taje- 

 Mahal, and commenced their journey towards Sindia's camp. A 

 melancholy scene of ruin and desolation, similar to that already 

 described, marked the first part of their progress from the royal 

 gardens, through the suburbs and environs of Agra. 



About half-way from thence to Gou Ghaut, or Ox-ford, they 

 came to Secundra, celebrated for the mausoleum of Akber, situ- 

 ated within a large enclosure, resembling a park, shaded by noble 

 trees, and entered by four handsome gates, leading to the roza, in 

 the centre, which is a magnificent structure, inlaid with different 

 coloured marble, agates, and precious stones, extremely rich and 

 costly, but rather in a heavy style; the part most ornamented is 

 on the uppermost terrace, and having no cover is entirely exposed 

 to the weather; it is exquisitely finished, and the platform of 

 black and while marble. The tomb itself is of plain white marble. 

 The interior of the arch at the principal entrance is adorned with 

 verses, expressive of the founder's extensive fame, and numerous 

 victories, with moral reflections on the instability of human 

 iireatness. 



The road from thence to Gou Ghaut was extremely pleasant: 



