206 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
The ground and fords being examined, and the de- 
scription and quantity of game ascertained, the royal 
cortege moved forward to the spot, followed by the 
whole military array. The jungles were encircled by 
a line of soldiers, who, enclosing a large space, narrow- 
ed their circle by degrees ; thus bringing together 
animals of all kinds, the most savage as well as the 
most timid, which were slaughtered in great multi- 
tudes. There was scarcely less blood spilt in these 
dangerous sports than in many well-contested battles. 
The same thing was repeated day after day, until the 
soldiers, as well as their chiefs, were wearied with the 
unprofitable excitement. The emperor no longer find- 
ing an enemy to contend with, broke up his encamp- 
ment, and once more returned to Agra. 
From this time that city became the capital of Ba- 
ber’s Indian possessions ; but why he should have pre- 
ferred Agra to Delhi it is difficult to say, the latter being 
by far the more magnificent city of the two, as is even 
apparent at this day. The fragments of noble ruins to be 
seen upon the extensive plain where this splendid me- 
tropolis of a vast empire once stood, attest what it must 
have been during the period of its glory ; for perhaps 
there is not another spot upon earth, of the same extent, 
containing so great a variety of architectural remains. 
These have been the admiration of travellers for the last 
two hundred years, since which the new capital has been 
raised, scarcely inferior to the old in all that consti- 
tutes the just pride of kings and the boast of subjects. 
Some idea may be formed of the grand ruins of the 
old city, as well as of the still gorgeous splendour of 
the new, from the fine fragment of an Afghan palace 
