98 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
which states that the gate was erected by Sultan 
Mahmood : unfortunately the date is obliterated. 
There are two or three other ruins of interest in the 
fort ; but, since the siege, it has been very thinly 
inhabited, and allowed to fall into complete dilapi- 
dation. The Jumma Musjid, or principal mosque, 
is in a rapid process of decay, but still occasionally 
used by the faithful for the performance of worship. 
There are some fine remains of the old Rajh Mahal, 
or royal palace, a Mohummedan structure of great 
extent ; but many of the Avails, as well as the roof, 
have fallen, and are now overrun with rank weeds of 
gigantic growth and jungul grass : an enticing cover 
for the bears, leopards, jackals, and lesser animals, 
which are here very numerous, and appear to share 
such accommodation as the fort offers, upon a most 
amicable understanding with the other inhabitants. 
Terry, that quaintest of early travellers to India, 
gives an amusing account of the “ discommodities, 
inconveniences, and annoyances,” arising from the 
multitude of wild beasts and vermin which fre- 
quently disturb the habitations of man in the East. 
-The annoyances of these countries,” he writes, u are, 
first, many harmful beasts of prey, such as lyons, 
tygers, woolves, jackalls, with others. Those jackalls 
seem to be wild dogs, who in great companies run 
up and down in the silent night, much disquieting 
the peace thereof, by their most hideous noise. 
Those most ravenous creatures will not suffer a man 
