' OF KAMAON. 14,5 



being surrounded by light verandas, supported by pillars, and having their 

 interior decorated with sculpture. The construction of a BauU being con- 

 sidered a meritorious work, numerous buildings of this description are to be 

 found in the neighbourhood of all villages, and along roads of particular resort. 



The only buildings which remain to be described, are the forts, which, 

 from the state of internal government under the ancient Rajas, were ex- 

 tremely numerous, but the greater number are now mere ruins. They were 

 usually built of large blocks of hewn stones, neatly fitted to each other, with 

 loop holes in the walls for matchlocks, or small Jinjals, and were always sltu» 

 ated on the peak of some mountain, from which circumstance no doubt they 

 derived their name of Kalunga. The choice of their position depended on the 

 difficulties of approach, the steepness of the sides of the mountains, and the 

 proximity of water. The mountain, towards the summit, was rendered as per- 

 pendicular as possible by scarping, and where the ridge approaching the peak 

 admitted, a trench was dug across, which was passable only by means of a 

 removable bridge. Having thus described the form and nature of the build- 

 ings in this province, the number and extent of its towns will now be noticed. 



The slender and diffused nature of the resources, joined to the difficulties 

 of transport in these mountains, by rendering the supply of provisions to a 

 large community precarious, must ever have checked the establishment of 

 towns or large villages. It was consequently, at the immediate seat of govern* 

 ment alone, that a population to any extent was ever collected, and such was 

 the origin of Almora, Sriiiigar, Champdwat, and Joshimath, the only towns in 

 this province. The latter, though never the place of residence of the actual 

 sovereign, yet owed its existence to the presence of the Rdxval, and the 

 numerous establishment of the temple of Badarinaih, and as the Rdwal pos- 

 sessed absolute authority In the districts round Joshimath, and had always the 

 disposal of a considerable annual income, he may be considered in the light of 



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