DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5827#0245
206 LIVES OF THE MOGUL'L EMPERORS.
The ground and fords being examined, and the de-
scription and quantity of game ascertained, the royal
cortege moved forward to the spot, followed by the
whole military array. The jungles were encircled by
a line of soldiers, who, enclosing a large space, narrow-
ed their circle by degrees; thus bringing together
animals of all kinds, the most savage as well as the
most timid, which were slaughtered in great multi-
tudes. There was scarcely less blood spilt in these
dangerous sports than in many well-contested battles.
The same thing was repeated day after day, until the
soldiers, as well as their chiefs, were wearied with the
unprofitable excitement. The emperor no longer find-
ing an enemy to contend with, broke up his encamp-
ment, and once more returned to Agra.
From this time that city became the capital of Ba-
ber's Indian possessions; but why he should have pre-
ferred Agra to Delhi it is difficult to say, the latter being
by far the more magnificent city of the two, as is even
apparent at this day. The fragments of noble ruins to be
seen upon the extensive plain where this splendid me-
tropolis of a vast empire once stood, attest what it must
have been during the period of its glory; for perhaps
there is not another spot upon earth, of the same extent,
containing so great a variety of architectural remains.
These have been the admiration of travellers for the last
two hundred years, since which the new capital has been
raised, scarcely inferior to the old in all that consti-
tutes the just pride of kings and the boast of subjects.
Some idea may be formed of the grand ruins of the
old city, as well as of the still gorgeous splendour of
the new, from the fine fragment of an Afghan palace
The ground and fords being examined, and the de-
scription and quantity of game ascertained, the royal
cortege moved forward to the spot, followed by the
whole military array. The jungles were encircled by
a line of soldiers, who, enclosing a large space, narrow-
ed their circle by degrees; thus bringing together
animals of all kinds, the most savage as well as the
most timid, which were slaughtered in great multi-
tudes. There was scarcely less blood spilt in these
dangerous sports than in many well-contested battles.
The same thing was repeated day after day, until the
soldiers, as well as their chiefs, were wearied with the
unprofitable excitement. The emperor no longer find-
ing an enemy to contend with, broke up his encamp-
ment, and once more returned to Agra.
From this time that city became the capital of Ba-
ber's Indian possessions; but why he should have pre-
ferred Agra to Delhi it is difficult to say, the latter being
by far the more magnificent city of the two, as is even
apparent at this day. The fragments of noble ruins to be
seen upon the extensive plain where this splendid me-
tropolis of a vast empire once stood, attest what it must
have been during the period of its glory; for perhaps
there is not another spot upon earth, of the same extent,
containing so great a variety of architectural remains.
These have been the admiration of travellers for the last
two hundred years, since which the new capital has been
raised, scarcely inferior to the old in all that consti-
tutes the just pride of kings and the boast of subjects.
Some idea may be formed of the grand ruins of the
old city, as well as of the still gorgeous splendour of
the new, from the fine fragment of an Afghan palace