DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5832#0238
AKBAItPOOR.
207
hills presented a great variety of form, with occasion-
ally a sternness and abruptness of aspect exceed-
ingly attractive to the eye, though not very inviting
to the footsteps of the traveller. Shere Shah by a stra-
tagem obtained possession of the fort of Rhotas from
the last of a long dynasty of Hindoo princes, Rajah
Chintamum, whose family had held dominion over
this part of the peninsula during a numerous succession
of generations. This fort was considered impregnable
until it was taken by Shere Shah, who made it a de-
pository for his treasure and the chief residence of
his family, until his death, when it probably reverted
to its former possessor, as in the year 1575 it was
captured from a Hindoo prince, after a severe struggle,
by the Mogul emperor, Akbar.
On taking possession of the fort, in a large temple
in the upper part of it, Shere Shah found a number
of rude idols cut in marble, which he ordered to be
flung over the neighbouring precipice, whence they
have never been recovered; and for that act of sacri-
legious tyranny his name is to this day execrated by
all pious Hindoos in the neighbourhood.
The zemeendar of Akbarpoor, a village at the foot
of the hill on which the fort of Rhotas stands, very
obligingly sent us two or three men to guide us to the
summit. We had not proceeded far on our way,
which was tedious from the asperity and narrowness
of the path, when our progress was interrupted by the
gateway of a fortified pass, of which there are several
between the base of the hill and the fort. These gate-
ways are immensely strong, and from the steepness of
the ascent oppose a formidable barrier to an approach-
207
hills presented a great variety of form, with occasion-
ally a sternness and abruptness of aspect exceed-
ingly attractive to the eye, though not very inviting
to the footsteps of the traveller. Shere Shah by a stra-
tagem obtained possession of the fort of Rhotas from
the last of a long dynasty of Hindoo princes, Rajah
Chintamum, whose family had held dominion over
this part of the peninsula during a numerous succession
of generations. This fort was considered impregnable
until it was taken by Shere Shah, who made it a de-
pository for his treasure and the chief residence of
his family, until his death, when it probably reverted
to its former possessor, as in the year 1575 it was
captured from a Hindoo prince, after a severe struggle,
by the Mogul emperor, Akbar.
On taking possession of the fort, in a large temple
in the upper part of it, Shere Shah found a number
of rude idols cut in marble, which he ordered to be
flung over the neighbouring precipice, whence they
have never been recovered; and for that act of sacri-
legious tyranny his name is to this day execrated by
all pious Hindoos in the neighbourhood.
The zemeendar of Akbarpoor, a village at the foot
of the hill on which the fort of Rhotas stands, very
obligingly sent us two or three men to guide us to the
summit. We had not proceeded far on our way,
which was tedious from the asperity and narrowness
of the path, when our progress was interrupted by the
gateway of a fortified pass, of which there are several
between the base of the hill and the fort. These gate-
ways are immensely strong, and from the steepness of
the ascent oppose a formidable barrier to an approach-