BOORHANPOOR. 
135 
to embody the souls of those who built the place 
and once resided there in regal splendour. 
’Tis now the raven’s dark abode ; 
’Tis now the apartment of the toad ; 
And there the fox securely feeds ; 
And there the poisonous adder breeds, 
Concealed in ruins, moss, and weeds. 
Near this building stands another, forming the 
most complete contrast which design could have 
placed in juxtaposition with it. This is a mosque, 
or rather the mouldering remains of one, built of black 
granite. The greater part of it is now prostrate, 
but the minarets remain firm, being almost as sharp 
and perfect as at the time of their erection, excepting 
the cupolas with which they are surmounted : these 
are much shattered, as if by lightning. The lower 
part of the fort terminates, on the river side, in a 
handsome flight of steps leading to the water s edge. 
Here the scene is varied by a group of Hindoo 
temples, around which are usually to be seen crowds 
of Hindoo women, gaily clad, assembling to bathe, 
or perform their pooja (prayer), and passing to and 
fro with their vari-formed water-pots, piled up one 
above the other on their heads. 
Upon the inland side of the fort, leading directly 
from the entrance, is the Chouk ; adjoining it is the 
Haj Bazaar, remarkable for the peculiar style of the 
houses. These are generally fronted with wooden 
verandas, very richly carved, projecting, at all angles, 
