144 GARDENS OF THE PLAINS— LAHORE 



to the Maharaja, a similar device exists for 

 coohng 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 waU 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 



