208 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
tulwars and spears, are frequently seen in the neigh- 
bourhood of these dilapidated structures, where they 
generally congregate for purposes of plunder. A camel 
is usually led by one of the party, to carry provisions 
and other necessaries, and likewise any booty they 
may chance to secure. Such groups render it hazar- 
dous to travel alone among the ruins in this neighbour- 
hood. The building in the distance is the celebrated 
Jumma Musjid or Grand Mosque of Shahjehanabad. 
On the nineteenth of September, Baber set out 
to make a tour through his new dominions, in order 
that he might be an eye-witness to the manner in 
which the several provincial governments were con- 
ducted. He first proceeded to Gualior. This is a 
strong fortress in the province of Agra, about seventy 
miles south from the capital. It is built upon a hill 
three hundred and forty-two feet high on the north 
side, where it is so steep as to be nearly perpendicu- 
lar. It was considered impregnable, from its natural 
position, until taken by Major Popham by escalade in 
1780. The storming party was led by Captain Bruce, 
brother to the celebrated traveller. It is abundantly 
supplied with water from several large natural caverns 
within the fort. During the whole period of the Mo- 
ghul empire — that is, from its establishment under 
Baber to its decline under Aurungzebe — the fortress 
of Gualior was used as a state prison, where all ob- 
noxious members of the royal family were confined, 
and an extensive menagerie of wild beasts of every 
description was kept for their entertainment. 
The emperor in his way to Gualior visited a place 
where he had ordered a palace to be erected and 
