m JUANPORE. 
mosques in ruins, which gave an idea of ancient magnificence. A 
suburb of clay huts led to a large serai,* formed of the same mate- 
rials, through which we passed to a bridge of considerable extent, 
divided into two parts ; the one consists of ten arches, being over 
the boundary of the river during the dry season, which, with the 
other, is capable of taking in the whole volume of water in the rains. 
It is said to have been built in the year 97^ of the Hejira, by the Em- 
peror Akbar, and, according to the legend, on the following occasion : 
" Akbar, when on an expedition against the rebellious Soubadar 
Ally Coolly Khawn, arrived at Juanpore, Making an excursion on 
the water, he saw a woman weeping, and enquired the cause. She 
informed him, that she was a widow, and had come from the other 
side of the water to sell cotton ; that she wished to return home, 
but had not the means of paying the ferryman. The Emperor, affect- 
ed at her relation, immediately ordered Moneem Khan Khanan 
to build a bridge over the river. The bridge was accordingly 
completed in three years, at an expense of thirty lacs of rupees, 
under the superintendence of Faheem, a slave of Khan Khanan." 
Such is the account of a native historian. I have only to observe, 
that the expense is enormous, as there is no rich carved work in it, 
and the river is so shallow in the dry season, that there could be 
little diflEculty in laying the foundations. Faheem, however, was an 
excellent workman. The torrents are violent in the rainv season, and 
the river rises so high as completely to cover the road on the top, 
yet it has stood nearly three hundred years. It is at present paved 
with stone. Mr. Deane is going to give it a covering of gravel, and 
to repair the trifling dilapidations which time has caused. It is 
* A kind of inn. 
