88 MONGHYR. 
which were richlv carved niches, meant to contain idols. Sultan 
Suja removed them, and converted the building into a mosque. 
It is now the residence of some invalid soldiers. The walls at pre- 
sent contain lines for five companies of sepoy invalids, a house 
belonging to the Governor-General, but in which he permits the 
Commandant of the garrison to reside, several houses belonging 
to the officers quartered there, a village, and the ruins of the 
palace of Sultan Suja. The rest of the space is occupied by gardens, 
tanks, and plantations. When you have once passed the gateways, 
there is nothing to inform you that you are in a fort. A major- 
general has hitherto commanded the garrison, but it is now given 
to Colonel Palmer, who had not arrived there when I left it. The 
view from his habitation is uncommonly fine, taking in the river, 
mountains, and intermediate plains richly cultivated. I prefer it to 
any thing I have yet seen in India. The house, of which Mr. Salt 
has taken a drawing, is excellent. 
The remains of the palace are considerable, and would have been 
much more so, had not every one, who wanted materials for new 
habitations, plundered the bricks and wood without mercy. Even 
Government itself set the example, when they built the storehouses 
and modern palace. A person of taste would have restored the old 
one, which could then have been done at a much less expense, would 
have been more convenient, and, in my opinion, more pleasingly 
situated, although without so extensive a view. The largest range 
of buildings is on the edge of the rampart, and overhangs the river. 
On the right is the sacred point of the rock, on which grow three of 
the finest tamarind trees I ever beheld. A small mosque is at pre- 
sent the most beautiful edifice remaining. It is built of the black 
