BABER. 
197 
tained an amicable alliance. There was now no serious 
opposition to apprehend to the favourable settlement 
of the vast empire which he had so gallantly subdued, 
and at such a comparatively trifling expense of human 
life. He was securely seated upon the most powerful 
throne in the East, which continued in his family 
with almost unexampled splendour for five consecu- 
tive generations ; but, though still retained by his de- 
scendants, with them the shadow of departed royalty 
alone remains. 
Baber having secured the empire of Hindostan, 
his sole study was how to maintain his acquisir- 
tions. The mighty Ganges, whose bosom has for ages 
proudly heaved under the wealth of empires, watered 
the extensive plains of Bengal, thenceforth to own 
him as its sovereign; whilst the Jumna, a scarcely less 
mighty tributary, which united with the Ganges in its 
majestic course to the ocean, poured the tribute of its 
waters at the very foot of his capital. So far back as 
the records of man can be traced, the Gunga or Ganges 
has been a river of the first importance, and to this day it 
maintains the same character. The busy scene which 
it daily exhibits is not to be represented by words. 
The variety of native boats floating upon its calm 
turbid waters is perhaps not exceeded by that of any 
river in the world. Every form and description of 
craft is here seen, from the stately and highly-orna- 
mented moahpunkee* to the simple and unadorned 
canoe. 
The large boat in the engraving is very striking, 
* For a description of the moahpunkee, see the Oriental An- 
nual, vol. ii. p. 128 . 
