14 
SCENES IN INDIA, 
strewed with so lavish a profusion, that the spectator 
may even now behold in these ruins the splendour of 
the once celebrated Indraprastha. The Patan build- 
ings remaining at this time entire, are no less remark- 
able for their solidity than for their singularity of 
form; for they differ in a very striking degree from 
the architecture, both Hindoo and Mohammedan, of 
every other period, whether recent or remote. From 
the strength and simplicity of their structure, not 
being encumbered with decorative appendages, for 
they are generally without ornament, it is probable 
that in so favourable a climate they will yet stand 
for centuries, without sustaining much injury from 
atmospheric influence. The materials of which the 
external masonry of the plainer ruins is composed, 
are a hard compact granite, squared into large masses, 
and fitted with extreme accuracy. The roofs are 
terraced, being covered with a 1 coarse stucco, so 
durable that it has scarcely been affected by time, 
and is calculated to resist the effects of the elements 
tor ages, if we may judge from the slight impres- 
sion hitherto made upon it. 
The Patan architecture in India may always be 
known by its peculiar characteristics : it is mostly plain 
and unadorned, commonly made up of square forms 
and flat surfaces, which always unite the idea of stern 
simplicity with ponderous strength. The Afghan or 
Patan princes evinced much judgment and taste in 
the structures which they erected, chiefly in the 
neighbourhood of Delhi ; but when those tribes were 
succeeded by the Tartar or Turkoman race, since 
erroneously denominated Moghuls, their style of 
