524 



Statistics of the Circar of Doivlatahad. [No. 36^ 



the iiiliabitants to depart with all tlieir families and wealth to Uco<^- 

 hiii, and in 1339, the year this event took place, its old name gave 

 way to Dowlutabad, its present one. He erected handsome palaces 

 within the walls and dug a deep ditch all round. Twice the inha- 

 bitants were permitted to return to Delhi, and twice compelled to 

 return again, on pain of death. It continued to be the capital until 

 A. D. 1616, when Malik Amber removed the court to Aurungabad, 

 since which period, though lessened in importance, it yet continues 

 to be regarded with jealous anxiety, on account of the nature of its 

 natural and artificial defences, which are very peculiar. A weak wall 

 surrounds the pettah, beyond which, three walls, with gates, are to 

 be passed, before the inner fastness is gained. A narrow causeway 

 crossing a wet scarped ditch, leads to the low entrance of this re- 

 markable stronghold ; after which the ascent continues for a consi- 

 derable distance along a winding gallery, hewn out of the heart of 

 the rock, the nature of which being amygdaloid trap, and not granite 

 as some writers erroneously state, it is readily worked. The upper 

 outlet has a contrivance for securing its mouth in the shape of a huge 

 iron grating which can be laid on, and a fire being kindled upon the 

 bars, vv^ould effectually arrest the approach of any assailant from be- 

 low. The principal objects that arrest attention on looking down 

 from the pyramidal hill on which this fortress is built, are the ruin- 

 ed muhal of Toghlak Mahomed, the governor's house and garden, 

 and the lofty minar built by Ala ood Deen. The handsome building, 

 close upon the summit, was a summer residence of the Emperor 

 Shah Jehan, and crowning the pinnacle is a broad platform, on which 

 a large piece of ordnance is mounted, above which is the Hag-staff, 

 bearing the standard of the Nizam. Cisterns of excellent water are 

 hewn out of the rock causing no scantiness of this supply. The 

 prickly-pear, and rank vegetation, have made the inner fort a per- 

 fect wilderness, and is in consequence very unhealthy after the rains. 

 It may be remarked, that soils on which the prickly-pear is found are 

 generally those on which the grape will be found to thrive, as mount 

 Etna, for instance, and many other parts of Italy ; here the vines arc 

 particularly flourishing, as well as other kinds of fruit, figs in parti- 

 cular. The principal towns in the Havalee Dowlutabad are Rouzah 

 und Kaghuzpoora. 



Rouzah lies live miles north of Dowlutabad, and twelve from Au- 



