SHEWALLAH GAUT. 
141 
CHAPTER XI. 
SHEWALLAH GAUT. — CHEIT SINGH’S INSURRECTION. 
Upon our arrival at Benares, we took up our abode 
near the Shewallah Gaut, the former residence of Cheit 
Singh, who has become memorable in the annals of 
British India from the insurrection which he raised 
against the English government during the admi- 
nistration of W arren Hastings, when, but for the 
prompt and energetic measures of the governor, the 
possession of India might have been lost to this 
country. The Shewallah Gaut is situated at the 
northern extremity of the city, on the very margin of 
the river. It is a handsome building, but by no means 
splendid, neither is it very capacious. It exhibits 
nothing of the Eastern palace. There is a large 
quadrangle behind it, in which are several small 
temples. These were considered to have been pol- 
luted during the insurrection just alluded to, by the 
human blood which was spilled in their immediate 
vicinity : so that, in consequence of this defilement, 
they have not been since used for religious purposes. 
The Zemeendar made his escape from the left wing of 
the building through a wicket which immediately 
faces the water ; and, as the banks of the river are 
here very steep, he let himself down, by turbans tied 
