HYDRABAD AND BIDUB. 
175 
annexed view, forms the entrance to the Nizam’s 
palace, which, with its numerous courts and gardens, 
occupies a large extent of this quarter of the city. 
The whole place has been lately much improved, in 
accordance with the European notions, by the pre- 
sent Nizam, Nasur-ud-Bowla ; but there is still 
abundant need of reformation, especially in cleanli- 
ness and ventilation. The country around Hydra- 
bad has a wild and barren aspect, and is intersected 
by a range of irregular hills of a remarkably rugged 
and jumbled appearance, as though they had recently 
been cast together by some violent convulsion and 
upturning of the earth. 
The Nizam’s court, being that of the principal 
independent Mogul sovereign in India, has preserved 
more than any other the ancient Mohummedan 
forms and ceremonies ; but many articles of Euro- 
pean manufacture, both of convenience and luxury, 
are made use of by the nobles of the court. The 
Nizam himself possesses immense magazines, in 
which are stored up innumerable bales, crates, and 
chests, containing all the presents which he has, from 
time to time, received from European powers. Cases 
of costly cloths, glass, china, machinery, clocks, 
watches, jewellery, bijouterie, and curiosities of every 
description, which have been accumulating during 
the past half century, are piled up all around the 
walls, but are never exhibited or permitted to see 
the light. 
