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MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 55 
tifcy of clear running water. Here is also a large reservoir, which CHAPTER 
some years ago was broken down, and has not yet been repaired : 
but 52000 Cantery Pagodas ( Canter 9 raia Varaha) (67 \l. 11$. %d.) 
have now 'been granted for the purpose ; and it is supposed, that, 
when completed, it will supply the rice grounds in the bottom of 
^ j. 
the valley for seven miles in length. 
The oppressions of Tippoo and the miseries of war are said to have Depopula- 
driven away four tenths of the cultivators. That tyrant received Uon * 
the country in a very flourishing state from his father, of whom 
every native that I have conversed with on the subject speaks in 
terms of the highest respect. 
As we approach the capital, I think the style of building be- Villages, 
comes somewhat better. The houses, although in other respects 
equally mean, have in general small Verandas , or open galleries, in 
front, to shelter from the sun their shops and their customers. The 
villages are not fortified, the vicinity of the capital having been a 
sufficient security against marauders. 
Near Muduru are the ruins of a stone fort, containing a temple Muduru, 
of Vishnu , and the houses of several Brahmans . This fort was built 
by the grandfather of the present Rajci of Mysore , and destroyed 
by the late Sultan with great propriety; for it could make no re- 
sistance against a European army, but might serve as a protection 
to their convoys ; at the same time, it was burthensome, by being 
much stronger than was necessary for protecting the town against 
plundering parties of native cavalry. 
It must be observed, that throughout both Carnatics, except at Town-, 
Madras, and some other large towns under the government of 
infidels, the Brahmans appropriate to themselves a particular quarter 
of every town, and that generally the best fortified. A Sudra is 
not permitted to dwell in the same street with a Brtthman ; while 
he* again exacts the same difference from the Whalliaru or Parriars , 
and other low casts. These people in general live in wretched 
