THE MONTHLY 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
DECEMBER, 1879. 
I. A VISIT TO THE ANCIENT OBSERVATORY 
AT DELHI, LOCALLY KNOWN AS THE 
“ JUNTER MUNTER.” 
By H. A. Tracey, Major R.A. 
S URING the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to 
Delhi, in the winter of 1875-76, my battery, among 
many others, was temporarily stationed there, and 
after H.R.H. ’s departure I employed our few leisure days in 
visiting the interesting remains of ancient grandeur that 
dot the country for 10 or 12 miles to the south of the 
modern city. 
One of the most conspicuous is the great Sun-dial, eredted 
by Rajah Jey Sing, about A.D. 1720. Its gnomon is a 
very remarkable objedt, rising stiff and angular some 60 feet 
above the plain. Those who mount the narrow stairs that 
lead to its summit find it crowned by a “ Lingam,” sure 
sign of a worship of “ Baal ” as descended to these days. 
There were the yellow flowers and grains of rice on and 
about it, showing that it is a “ high place,” still used by the 
neighbouring peasantry. 
This Sun-dial, though the most prominent, is not the 
most important part of the remains of the Observatory. 
Two low towers, about 24 feet high and 60 feet in diameter, 
attradl one’s attention when on the gnomon, and lie due 
south of it. As seen from that more elevated spot their 
cylindrical exterior is at once noticed, and the observer has 
also the opportunity of remarking that the tower is open to 
the heavens; that a central pillar rises in each to the same 
height as the walls, which have deep vertical recesses on 
VOL ix. (n.s.) 3 d 
