BABER. 
235 
hand rests could not be wielded except by a very 
sinewy arm. He was above the middle height and 
stout in proportion, possessing extreme activity and 
patience of endurance. In the background of the 
picture in which he stands with the manly bearing of a 
warrior king, is a specimen of the architecture peculiar 
to his time-. It is plain and massy, sparingly orna- 
mented, but having the character of ponderous strength 
and imposing solidity. Its style was severe, by com- 
parison with the more ornate specimens now existing 
of the days of Akbar and Shah Jehan. The Moham- 
medan architects contrived, with great ingenuity, to 
introduce into their buildings much of the ornamental 
carving which they found in the Hindoo structures. 
These latter they frequently destroyed, and built 
mosques upon their sites ; as was the case with Au- 
rungzebe’s mosque at Benares, the only Mohammedan 
temple in that city. At Juanpoor are many fine mo- 
numents of Mohammedan art. The Jumma Musjid 
in that city was constructed with the materials of an 
eminent Hindoo pagoda, which formerly stood upon 
that spot now consecrated to the worship of the Im- 
poster of Mecca. There are several noble structures of 
this description on the banks of the Goomty, which at 
a distance look quite plain and simple, but upon a 
nearer inspection are found to be rich even to exuber- 
ance in architectural decorations : these embellish- 
ments, however, are always judiciously applied, and 
never offend against good taste. The grand mosque 
at Juanpoor appears in the background of the frontis- 
piece : it is supposed to have been erected about Ba- 
bers time. 
