210 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE FORT OF RHOTAS. A HINDOO FUNERAL. 
The fort of Rhotas, like Bidzee Gur, stands upon 
the summit of a table hill, but is much more ex- 
tensive, embracing a circumference of many miles, 
within which are several villages, and a moderately 
numerous population. It is everywhere protected by 
a lofty wall of immense thickness, except where the 
precipice presents a natural barrier to an invading 
army. Wherever the mountain upon which the fort 
stands, originally appeared in the slightest degree 
accessible, the wall towers above it with an union 
of massiveness and strength that seems to bid de- 
fiance to every human assault. It however yielded, 
as I have already stated, to the irresistible valour of 
the Afghan Shere Shah, who conquered the son of the 
renowned Baber, and father* of the still more re- 
nowned Akbar. Shere Shah had the enviable merit 
of taking, with inconsiderable loss, one of the strongest 
fortresses in Hindostan, 
Beyond the gateway which leads immediately to 
the principal fortification, are several plain but hand- 
some structures. There are temples, palaces, gra- 
naries, besides villages and single houses. The ba- 
* Humayun. 
