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COL. T. HOLBEIN HENDLEY, C.I.E., ON THE 



a more splendid view than that of the wide plain of Jaipur, as 

 seen upon the road from Amber, with its noble city in the 

 distance, and the foreground studded with palaces, shrines, 

 temples, tanks, and multitudes of villages thick with groves 

 and gardens. There are few places in Upper India better 

 worth seeing than these two cities and their environs." Tod 

 describes the glories of Jodhpur, " within whose noble fort, 

 situated high up on a mole projecting from a low range of hills 

 so as to be almost isolated, surrounded by strong walls with 

 numerous lofty towers, are many splendid edifices and the Eaja's 

 residence, composed of many palaces which were constructed 

 by his ancestors." 



Of Bundi he says, " The coup-cVceil of the castellated palace 

 of Bundi, from whichever side you approach it, is perhaps the 

 most striking in India ; . . . throughout Bajwarra, which 

 boasts many fine palaces, the BundicaMahl is allowed to possess 

 the first rank ; for which it is indebted to situation not less 

 than to the splendid additions which it has continually 

 received." 



The valley of Udaipur he thought the " most diversified and 

 most romantic spot on the continent of India," and who is there 

 who has seen its marvellous palaces, both on the waters of the 

 Peshola Lake and on its beautiful shores, its temples and its 

 Mahasati, or abodes of the dead, its wood-clad embracing hills, 

 its wayside shrines, and its interesting inhabitants, who shall 

 differ from him ? 



The Jain Temple of Vrishabdeva at Mount Abu, is, according 

 to him, " Beyond controversy the most superb of all the temples 

 of India, and there is not an edifice besides the Taj Mahl which 

 can approach it. The pen is incompetent to describe the 

 exuberant beauties of this proud monument of the Jains, 

 raised by one of the richest of their votaries (by whose name, 

 and not that of the pontiff enshrined within, it is still 

 designated), and which continues to attract pilgrims from every 

 region of India," 



Time would indeed fail us if we were to tell of all the glories 

 of this romantic land, but I would mention that it is not only the 

 princes who have such beautiful homes ; but in Bikanir, 

 Jaisulmer, and Ajmere, and many another spot there are similar 

 palatial residences of bankers, priests, and other rich men, 

 most of these towns being adorned with buildings which are 

 carved from top to bottom of their walls with most intricate 

 lace work in red sandstone and marble. Moreover every 

 picturesque rock in some parts of the country seems to be the 



