pro nience of a stranger; most travellers are therefore vided with them, and halcarras and religious pilgrims frequently carry a small brass pot, affixed to a long string for this purpose. The Samaritan woman, in the memorable conversation with our Saviour, says unto him, "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?" John, ch. iv. ver. 11. Nothing is more common than for strangers to enter into conversation upon such occasions. Happy was the meeting of the woman of Sychar with the holy traveller at Jacob's well. An assemblage of pilgrims at an oriental reservoir, often brings to mind the interview in Samaria. When at Rome I purchased a picture on this subject, by Guercino, large as life; reckoned one of the finest works of that master; meekness and dignity are happily blended in the Saviour's countenance, and the whole composition is a chef d'œuvre of the Italian school. A learned friend, eminent in his profession, on seeing it at Stanmore Hill, wrote the following extempore lines, which I trust he will forgive me for inserting. "Soon as the silken curtain I undraw, When the frail fair Samaritan 1 view And keen remorse and sorrow pierce my heart. ANCIENT TRADITION. His eyes beam mercy, while his lips reprove, But, if a mere resemblance here pourtray'd, 543 B. I. S. 1797. The Bhauts and Churruns, the only historians of Guzerat, account for this expensive and sumptuous portal and the other magnificent structures in the city, by the following story; which is probably founded on fact, though blended with fable. Their traditions relate that many centuries ago, a Hindoo rajah, named Sadara Jai Sihng, the "Lion of Victory," reigned in Putton, the Paithana, or Pattana, of the ancient Greeks; a city built on the banks of the river Godavery, at a great distance from Dhuboy. According to the privileged custom of oriental monarchs, this rajah had seven wives, and many concubines; the first in rank, and his greatest favourite, was called Rattanalee, the "Lustre of Jewels," an additional name conferred upon her, expressive of transcendent worth and superior beauty; in which, and every elegant accomplishment, she excelled all the ladies in the haram. She thus preserved an ascendancy over the rajah, notwithstanding she had no child, and several of the rest had presented him with princes. The intrigues and jealousies among the secluded females in the eastern harams are well known; 544 ANCIENT TRADITION. they prevailed powerfully at Putton, where the ladies were all jealous of Rattanalee, and used every means to alienate the rajah's affection from his favourite ; but when they found that she also was in a state of pregnancy, their hatred knew no bounds. According to the superstitious customs of the Hindoos, they employed charms and talismans to prevent the birth of the child; and the beloved sultana, superstitious and credulous as themselves, imagined their spells had taken effect, and that while she remained in the palace, her infant would never see the light. Impressed with these ideas, she departed with a splendid retinue to sacrifice at a celebrated temple on the banks of the Nerbudda, and after a long journey arrived late in the evening at a sacred grove and lake, about ten miles from the river, on the very spot where Dhuboy now stands; there the princess pitched her tents, intending to conclude her journey the next morning. In this grove dwelt a Gosannee, who had renounced the world, and passed his life in religious retirement. On hearing of Rattanalee's arrival he requested to be admitted into her presence; a request which is seldom refused to those holy men: he desired her not to proceed any further, as that grove was sacred, and there in a few days she would be delivered of a son. The princess followed his advice, and continued in her encampment until the birth of her child; who, at the Gosannee's desire, was named Viseldow, or" the child of twenty months." This pleasing news was soon conveyed to the rajah, who declared young Viseldow heir to his throne; and finding his mother delighted with the spot where she had obtained the blessing, and fearful of returning among the ladies of the haram, he ordered the lake to be enlarged, the groves extended, and a city erected, surrounded by a strong fortification, and beautified with every costly decoration. The most eminent artists were engaged to build this famous city, and over them was placed a man of superior abilities, who lived to complete the immense work, thirty-two years after its commencement. At that time Viseldow had succeeded his father on the throne of Putton, but generally resided at the place of his nativity; where, on dismissing the several artists, he made them suitable presents; but desirous of more amply gratifying the man to whose superior taste it was indebted for such extraordinary beauty, he desired him to name a reward for his services. The architect respectfully replied, that being happy in the prince's favour he wanted neither money nor jewels; but as the place had not yet received any particular name, he entreated it might be called after his own, Dubhowey, which was immediately granted, and with a slight alteration is the name it still retains. Dhuboy for a long time was inhabited only by Hindoos, no Mussulman being permitted to reside within the walls, nor under any pretence to bathe or wash in the tank; but a young Mahomedan stranger, named Sciad Ballah, on a pilgrimage with his mother Mamah-Doocre, in their way to Mecca, alighted at a caravansary, without the gates of Dhuboy: and Sciad Ballah, having heard much of its magnificence, walked in to gratify his curiosity. After viewing the curious gates and temples on the borders of the tank, and ignorant of any prohibition to the contrary, he rashly 546 SIEGE OF DHUBOY. ventured to bathe in the sacred lake: the Brahmins, deeming the water polluted, prevailed on the rajah to punish the delinquent by cutting off his hands, to deter others from following his example: he was then turned out of the city with disgrace; and thus covered with shame, and weak with the loss of blood, he could but just reach his mother at the caravansary, and there expired. These strangers were Mahomedans of distinction then on their way to Surat to embark for the Red Sea, from the interior parts of Hindostan. MamahDoocre, after the first paroxysm of grief, laid aside her pilgrimage, and vowed revenge. She immediately returned to her own country, and sued to her sovereign to redress this disgrace and cruelty to her family; he immediately ordered a large army to march, under the command of his vizier, against Dhuboy. The siege continued for several years; at length famine raging in the city, the garrison having no hopes of foreign assistance, made a sally, and fought with enthusiasm. A dreadful slaughter ensued; but the besiegers were at length victorious; the principal Hindoos fled to a distant country, and the Mahomedans entered the city. On viewing the strength of the works, the vizier determined to destroy them three sides of the fortress were immediately razed to the ground. The beauty and elegance of the west face, and the magnificence of the four double gates, preserved them from his fury. They remain to this day splendid monuments of the architectural taste of the ancient Hindoos. After the destruction of Dhuboy, the Mahomedans |