1838.] Notes of a journey to Girndr. 871 



The approach to Junagarh from the southwest is very picturesque, 

 the road for some miles passing- through rich topes of mango, tama- 

 rind, and other trees : near the city are some gardens in high cultivation. 

 The range, known as the Junagarh hills, appears from this direction to 

 run nearly north and west, occupying an extreme extent of about twelve 

 miles. The hills are all of granite formation, but richly clothed with 

 jungle, extending to some miles around their base. The highest point 

 is the summit of the Girndr, situated in the rear of the principal range, 

 to which it is connected by two shoulders or spurs, running westerly, 

 and southerly, from about halfway up the summit. A large opening in 

 nearly the centre of the front range, forms a beautiful valley and road 

 to the sacred mount, which, with its bold granite bluffs, and tapering 

 peaks half hidden in mist and clouds, is a noble feature in the 

 landscape. 



The city of Junagarh is situated at the entrance of the valley just 

 mentioned, with its low walls nearly hidden by the jungle around ; the 

 only conspicuous object is the old Rajput citadel, or as it is called from 

 its elevated situation, the Uparkot, a very fine piece of fortification, 

 situated within, and on the eastern side of the modern city. The 

 straggling walls of Junagarh, occupy an immense area, not more than 

 half of which is inhabited ; the whole of the eastern portion, is an un- 

 occupied space. The population may be estimated at about 20,000, the 

 majority Hindu ; the streets are narrow and dirty, houses badly built, 

 with nothing about the place approaching to that bustle, and air of pros- 

 perity, which might reasonably be looked for in the capital of a rich terri- 

 tory. Situated in the centre of one of the bazars, is the nawab's palace, 

 an insignificant building ; indeed, with the exception of a few mosques 

 and tombs, none of the modern buildings deserve notice. A very con- 

 venient havdee has been appropriated by H. H. the nawab, for the 

 accommodation of officers visiting Junagarh. I was thus fortunate in 

 escaping the inconvenience incidental to tents, at a season of the year, 

 when any unnecessary exposure to the intense heat at this place, would 

 perhaps have defeated my object. I had also reason to congratulate 

 myself on meeting Captain Lang at Junagarh. Through his exertions, 

 the inscriptions at Girnar were first copied, and to the kind assistance 

 which he on all occasions rendered me, whilst occupied in my work, I 

 feel mainly indebted for any success with which my own exertions have 

 been attended. 



Immediately on my arrival, I accompanied Captain Lang to look a^ 

 the inscriptions. The celebrated rock, on which they are engraved, is 

 distant about half a mile to the eastward of the city, a few yards to the 

 5 R 



