AKBARPOOR. 
207 
hills presented a great variety of form, with occasion- 
ally a sternness and abruptness of aspect exceed- 
ingly attractive to the eye, though not very inviting 
to the footsteps of the traveller. Shere Shah by a stra- 
tagem obtained possession of the fort of Rhotas from 
the last of a long dynasty of Hindoo princes. Rajah 
Chintamum, whose family had held dominion over 
this part of the peninsula during a numerous succession 
of generations. This fort was considered impregnable 
until it was taken by Shere Shah, who made it a de- 
pository for his treasure and the chief residence of 
his family, until his death, when it probably reverted 
to its former possessor, as in the year 1575 it was 
captured from a Hindoo prince, after a severe struggle, 
by the Mogul emperor, Akbar. 
On taking possession of the fort, in a large temple 
in the upper part of it, Shere Shah found a number 
of rude idols cut in marble, which he ordered to be 
flung over the neighbouring precipice, whence they 
have never been recovered ; and for that act of sacri- 
legious tyranny his name is to this day execrated by 
all pious Hindoos in the neighbourhood. 
The zemeendar of Akbarpoor, a village at the foot 
of the hill on which the fort of Rhotas stands, very 
obligingly sent us two or three men to guide us to the 
summit. We had not proceeded far on our way, 
which was tedious from the asperity and narrowness 
of the path, when our progress was interrupted by the 
gateway of a fortified pass, of which there are several 
between the base of the hill and the fort. These gate- 
ways are immensely strong, and from the steepness of 
the ascent oppose a formidable barrier to an approach- 
