DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0064
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
45
after having forced one gate, would have been exposed to a fire CHAPTER
from all quarters before they could have reached another. But
there are no ditches between the different gates, nor even without
the outer one; and, if the enemy obtained possession of the works
above the first gateway, they had a ready communication with all
the others ; as our troops found when they stormed the place,
which they did at this part of the works. In the buildings of this
entrance is a dungeon, amply provided with all the horrors that
usually attend such places.
The garrison contained well constructed magazines', and many Palace,
huts for the accommodation of the troops; but no good building,
except the mahal or palace. Although this is composed of mud, it
is not without some degree of magnificence. On the upper story,
it contains four halls, each comprising two balconies of state for
the prince, and each balcony faces a different Cutchery, or court
for giving audience. No persons, except a few trusty guards, were .
admitted into the hall with the Sultan: but at each end of the
court was erected a balcony for the officers of the highest rank.
The inferior officers occupied a hall under the balcony of the
prince, open in front, and supported by columns as high as the roof
of the upper story. The populace were admitted into the open
court, in which there were fountains for cooling the air. At each
end of the halls are private apartments, small, mean, and inconve
nient. The public rooms are neatly painted, and ornamented with
false gilding. The offices are mean; and the bath consists of a
small room, in which a person may sit, and have water poured over
him. The same bath seems to have served both the prince and his
women, as it communicates with their apartments by a small court,
which contains the huts that served for kitchens, and for lodging
the female slaves. There Avere two apartments for the ladies. One,
for the principal wife, contains a cutchery, where, like the Sultan
she gave audience to the concubines, and to the ladies of the Mus-
sulman chiefs. The other apartment belonged to the concubines. •
45
after having forced one gate, would have been exposed to a fire CHAPTER
from all quarters before they could have reached another. But
there are no ditches between the different gates, nor even without
the outer one; and, if the enemy obtained possession of the works
above the first gateway, they had a ready communication with all
the others ; as our troops found when they stormed the place,
which they did at this part of the works. In the buildings of this
entrance is a dungeon, amply provided with all the horrors that
usually attend such places.
The garrison contained well constructed magazines', and many Palace,
huts for the accommodation of the troops; but no good building,
except the mahal or palace. Although this is composed of mud, it
is not without some degree of magnificence. On the upper story,
it contains four halls, each comprising two balconies of state for
the prince, and each balcony faces a different Cutchery, or court
for giving audience. No persons, except a few trusty guards, were .
admitted into the hall with the Sultan: but at each end of the
court was erected a balcony for the officers of the highest rank.
The inferior officers occupied a hall under the balcony of the
prince, open in front, and supported by columns as high as the roof
of the upper story. The populace were admitted into the open
court, in which there were fountains for cooling the air. At each
end of the halls are private apartments, small, mean, and inconve
nient. The public rooms are neatly painted, and ornamented with
false gilding. The offices are mean; and the bath consists of a
small room, in which a person may sit, and have water poured over
him. The same bath seems to have served both the prince and his
women, as it communicates with their apartments by a small court,
which contains the huts that served for kitchens, and for lodging
the female slaves. There Avere two apartments for the ladies. One,
for the principal wife, contains a cutchery, where, like the Sultan
she gave audience to the concubines, and to the ladies of the Mus-
sulman chiefs. The other apartment belonged to the concubines. •