A PURDAH SCHOOL 265 



this entails the loss of their beautiful terraced 

 roofs and pavilions, and the introduction of the 

 open, exposed garden which they cannot enjoy. 

 A recent instance will illustrate my meaning. 

 On the outskirts of a famous Indian city, not far 

 away from the old Mughal gardens in which I was 

 sketching, fine new buildings for a girls' school 

 were about to be opened. The school was a 

 strictly purdah school — a comparatively new 

 idea. The daughters and future wives of the 

 Indian rulers and nobles were to be educated 

 there, and fitted to become in after life good and 

 helpful companions to their husbands and sons. 

 By the particular advice of our wise Queen- 

 Empress, their own best traditions and customs 

 were in all cases to be adhered to. The open- 

 ing ceremony was made an event of special im- 

 portance. Princesses and officials' wives were 

 gathered to meet the great lady who had snatched 

 one day from a long round of other duties in 

 order to be present. One could imagine how 

 beautiful and useful the buildings to be opened 

 might be — an Indian garden of girls ; a modern 

 maiden's palace, such as the garden-bower of 

 Kadambari, the Gandharva Princess. One could 

 picture the dark arched entrance ; the main 



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