Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

76 DESCRIPTION OF

the two sides, in a line with the building, are
distinct apartments, designed for the abode of
the distressed and houseless poor; the back of
these apartments form a substantial wall or en-
closure. The Shaah Nudghiff faces the gate-
way, and appears to be a square building, on a
broad base of flights of steps, with a cupola roof;
the interior is paved with black and white
marble tesselated, the walls and dome neatly
ornamented with plaster and gold in relief,
the beading, cornices, &c. of gold, to correspond
on a stone-colour ground. The cupola and cor-
nices on the outside are richly ornamented with
plaster designs, relieved with gold; on' the
summit of the dome is placed a crown of pure
silver, gilt, of an immense size.

The decorations of the interior, for the season
of Mahurrum, were on a scale of grandeur not
easily to be conveyed by description. The
walls were well covered with handsome glasses
and mirrors; the splendid chandeliers,—one
containing a hundred wax lights,—in every va-
riety, and relieved with coloured lamps—amber,
blue, and green,—mellowing the light, and