132 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
at home to be the theatre of his tyrannies, will be 
a sufficient refutation of the charges with which he 
was so wantonly and so cruelly assailed, as he who 
was both respected and beloved as a ruler could never 
have been really a tyrant. 
The ancient name of Benares was Casi the splen- 
did, but at the period of the Mahomedan invasion it 
most probably changed its name with its masters. 
In 1017 it was taken by Sultan Mahmood. It does 
not, however, appear that the Mahomedans establish- 
ed themselves permanently in this part of India until 
the end of the twelfth century, after which it follow- 
ed the fortunes of the Patan and Mogul dynasties, 
until the whole district of Benares, together with the 
city, fell under British domination in 1775 ; and to 
British counsels and government it is indebted for the 
uniform prosperity which it has enjoyed since the 
dominion of its present rulers was firmly established 
there in 1781. A few years after this, however, 
Benares was the scene of a most dreadful tragedy. 
Mr. Cherry, the British resident and three English 
gentlemen were barbarously murdered at the sug- 
gestion of Vizier Ali, the deposed Nabob of Oude. 
The Judge, Mr. Davis, defended himself and family 
until assistance arrived. He displayed extraordinary 
presence of mind, and no ordinary degree of heroism 
upon this critical occasion. Hearing what had be- 
fallen the unfortunate resident, and that his house was 
to be the next object of attack, he made all his family 
ascend to the roof; then placing himself at the top of 
a narrow winding staircase, the only passage to their 
place of refuge, armed with a short spear, he resisted 
