DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.611#0098
70 CHAPTER IV.
of figures carved on them which were considered in-
admissible in a Mahommedan mosque. The carving on
the pillars is very fine. Some of them are suggestive
of the period which many regard as Buddhistic, others
appear to be of a somewhat later date, a transition period
when simplicity was giving way before the tendency
towards more elaboration, but still the style might be
called classical. The carving of the roof above the
puplit is worth noticing.
13. Raj Ghat Fort Plateau.—The two gateways
on the north-east of this plateau give unmistakeable
testimony to the existence of a fort here in days gone
by. Probably this was the centre of Benares at one
period of its history. Other ruins point no less dis-
tinctly to there having been a time when the south-
western portion was a place of considerable importance,
held by Mahommedans.
The ground offered natural advantages for a fort,
and was probably a strong citadel in its palmy days.
It should be realized that in the olden days fort and
paiace if not absolutely identical were close united. The
palace was the centre, and must necessarily be sur-
rounded by a fort for protection.
The ruins about the spot have not been well pre-
served, on the contrary many things have contributed
to effect their effacement. At one time it was occupied
by English troops (I recently met an old soldier who
remembered staying there). Then during the construc-
tion of the Ganges Bridge it became the quarters for
the staff. Later on again the Indian National Congress
and Exhibition used the ground. Naturally at all such
times the ground would need to be levelled, and old
bits of ruin would be broken down.
One fine mausoleum (Mahommedan) yet remains,
the fine enamel work of which is interesting. There
of figures carved on them which were considered in-
admissible in a Mahommedan mosque. The carving on
the pillars is very fine. Some of them are suggestive
of the period which many regard as Buddhistic, others
appear to be of a somewhat later date, a transition period
when simplicity was giving way before the tendency
towards more elaboration, but still the style might be
called classical. The carving of the roof above the
puplit is worth noticing.
13. Raj Ghat Fort Plateau.—The two gateways
on the north-east of this plateau give unmistakeable
testimony to the existence of a fort here in days gone
by. Probably this was the centre of Benares at one
period of its history. Other ruins point no less dis-
tinctly to there having been a time when the south-
western portion was a place of considerable importance,
held by Mahommedans.
The ground offered natural advantages for a fort,
and was probably a strong citadel in its palmy days.
It should be realized that in the olden days fort and
paiace if not absolutely identical were close united. The
palace was the centre, and must necessarily be sur-
rounded by a fort for protection.
The ruins about the spot have not been well pre-
served, on the contrary many things have contributed
to effect their effacement. At one time it was occupied
by English troops (I recently met an old soldier who
remembered staying there). Then during the construc-
tion of the Ganges Bridge it became the quarters for
the staff. Later on again the Indian National Congress
and Exhibition used the ground. Naturally at all such
times the ground would need to be levelled, and old
bits of ruin would be broken down.
One fine mausoleum (Mahommedan) yet remains,
the fine enamel work of which is interesting. There