DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5829#0236
xeilgherries.
209
cannot be attributable, as other travellers have sug-
gested, to peculiarity of climate or physical consti-
tution ? This, too, I leave for the decision of the
more learned.
The spot from which the annexed view has been
taken is in the Koonoor pass, near the second mile-
stone, having Hulli-kul-Droog upon the right, and,
in the distance, the plains of Koimbatoor, through
which the diminishing stream of the second Bhowani
winds like a silver thread. The rugged steeps of
Hulli-kul-Droog,—here assuming every diversity of
fantastic configuration of which wood and rock are
susceptible, there spreading soft undulating pastures
to the sunshine,—sweep down to the boiling torrent
and thundering cataracts of Koonoor. Upon its
lofty summit is a little fort, enjoying a grand com-
mand over all the surrounding country. This was
built by Hyder Ali, and was used by him, and sub-
sequently by his son Tippoo, as a place of confine-
ment for state-prisoners. As a military work it is
unimportant; for, though almost inaccessible to
troops, it defends nothing, nor could a garrison
stationed therein be available for any service, except
the defence of the fort itself. It has lono- since been
O
abandoned to the birds and beasts of the forest, and
it could hardly be better appropriated.
The soil of the jSeilgherries is naturally productive,
and is susceptible of the highest cultivation; especially
in the lowlands, where the Burgas raise luxuriant
t 2
209
cannot be attributable, as other travellers have sug-
gested, to peculiarity of climate or physical consti-
tution ? This, too, I leave for the decision of the
more learned.
The spot from which the annexed view has been
taken is in the Koonoor pass, near the second mile-
stone, having Hulli-kul-Droog upon the right, and,
in the distance, the plains of Koimbatoor, through
which the diminishing stream of the second Bhowani
winds like a silver thread. The rugged steeps of
Hulli-kul-Droog,—here assuming every diversity of
fantastic configuration of which wood and rock are
susceptible, there spreading soft undulating pastures
to the sunshine,—sweep down to the boiling torrent
and thundering cataracts of Koonoor. Upon its
lofty summit is a little fort, enjoying a grand com-
mand over all the surrounding country. This was
built by Hyder Ali, and was used by him, and sub-
sequently by his son Tippoo, as a place of confine-
ment for state-prisoners. As a military work it is
unimportant; for, though almost inaccessible to
troops, it defends nothing, nor could a garrison
stationed therein be available for any service, except
the defence of the fort itself. It has lono- since been
O
abandoned to the birds and beasts of the forest, and
it could hardly be better appropriated.
The soil of the jSeilgherries is naturally productive,
and is susceptible of the highest cultivation; especially
in the lowlands, where the Burgas raise luxuriant
t 2