HARBOUR OF MASCAT. 
191 
of Angria had swept the Indian seas with impunity, 
and frequently extended their captures to the Persian 
Gulf: Mascat was only protected by the natural 
strength of its position and the security of its har- 
bour. 
The harbour of Mascat is large, and one of the 
securest known. It is protected by a range of high 
rocks in the form of a horseshoe, there being a narrow 
entrance for small boats only, whilst larger vessels are 
obliged to go round the rocky ridge and enter at the 
main opening on the north side. The town lies on the 
western side, on the shore of a deep basin, where ships 
may anchor, secured from every wind that blows. 
There is a fort on the same side, near the entrance of 
the harbour, called Fort Jellali, built by the Portu- 
guese when they had possession of Mascat. It stands 
upon a large, lofty rock behind the town,, and, seen 
seaward, is extremely imposing. The fortifications 
are strong, and of fine stonework. From the beauty 
of the masonry, it is clear that Hindoo workmen were 
employed, as the fortifications have all the charac- 
teristics of their strong and compact mode of building, 
though the plan and aspect of the fort is decidedly 
European. The bastions and towers are of great 
strength, and during the time they were in pos- 
session of the Portuguese, were mounted with formi- 
dable batteries, served by a numerous and efficient 
garrison. 
The fort is now occupied by the Arabs, and no 
longer formidable, presenting only a few brass can- 
non, and having been suffered to go into a sad 
state of decay. In the first Angria’s time, though the 
