26 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
All the costly beauties of this regal abode are now 
abandoned to neglect and desolation. Their pride is 
overrun by grinning poverty ; and amid these still 
solid monuments of former grandeur, a skeleton 
of royalty remains enshrined. The shadows of 
departed might and magnificence haunt every 
avenue, 
The melancholy ghosts of dead renown, 
Whispering faint echoes of the world’s applause. 
The late emperor, Akbur Shah the Second, was a 
state prisoner to the British power within the walls of 
this his own palace, whence he could not move, even 
for change of air, without permission from the Bri- 
tish authorities. He was, however, invariably treated 
with respect and consideration by his jailers, and 
although divested of all influence as the monarch of 
a kingdom, was permitted to exercise despotic autho- 
rity within the walls of his royal prison, even to the 
lives of his retainers. He also enjoyed the power of 
bestowing titles and dresses of honour, subject to 
the approval of the British government ; and, except 
in a few instances, was not deprived of the control 
of his own household and family affairs. He was 
provided with a civil list amply sufficient to save 
himself and retainers from starvation ; and on all 
occasions of his appearance in public, whether he 
held a durbar , or went to perform religious rites at 
the Jumma Musjid, or had permission to visit the 
Kootab Minar for the benefit of his health, this 
