The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-10
Ghin9s abroad.
THE VERSAILLES OF AGRA.
ny PRANK VINCENT, JR

by FRANK VINCENT, JR.
Iu nearly the northern centre Of Hisdus-
tan, about nine hundred miles distant from
Calcutta, eight hundred from Peshawur,
and seven hundred from Bombay, upon
the right bank Of the Jumna river, stands
the splendid and renowned city of Agra,
which from the year 1904 until l647 was
the seat of the Mogul Empire in India.
Baber Humayon, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah
<. Jehan, in fact, all the most celebrated of
the Mogul lords, excepting the Emperor
AurungIebe, have at times resided here.
"a For many Of its original splendors Agra is
indebted to the munifeence Of Shah Jehan,
but to the Emperor Akbar, who reigned
in the latter part ofthe sixteenth and the be-
ginning of the seventeenth centuries, be-
longs the credit of having given Agra its
grandest position among the cities Of the
empire. During the reign of this illustri-
Gus person; who was so wise and just
sovereign that his name is still revered in
India, Agra is said to have contained
4 eight hundred thousand inhabitants, add
to have been one of the most splendid
h cities Of Asia, aud such grand monuments
as the TAI Mahal, the Pearl Mosque, the
Mausolcum Of 1tmud-oo- Dowla, and the
fort bears witness even at the present day
Of It's former magnifcence.
Adbar was unquestionably the greatest
Of the Mogul emperors of Hindustan. He
aseended the throne in 1853, when only
thirteen years Of age. And all writers,
foreign as well as native, speak in unmeas-
ured terms of the vigor, ability, and just
ness Of his character In his youth, che
excelled, says Elphinstonc, Sin all exer-
cises of strength and agility, and showed
exuberant courage even in his amusements,
rs in tamingunbroken horsesand elephants,
and in rash encounters with tigers and
other wild beasts. Yet with this disposi-
tion and passionate love of glory, he
founded his hopes of fame at least as much
on the wisdom and liberality of his gov
ernment as in its military success" The
earlier portion of his reign was one of
conquest, both at home and abroad; the
latter part was one Of peace, material pros
perity and political and social reform. He
proved himself the most able and liberal
as well as the most powerful prince who
ever ruled in Hindustan. The empire was
restored to its former bounds, the army
was reorganized, the finances were arran-
ged and ordered in statesmanlike, phi
anthropic manner, and all religions we're
treated with like respect and impartiality,
! An old. traveller tells us that Akbar was
afable and majes.ical, merciful and severe,
skilful in mechanical arts, and Of sparing
diet, sleeping but three hours day, curl
pusly industrious, affable to the vulgar,
& seeming to grace them and their presents
rith more respective ceremonies than the
grandees, loved and feared of his own, ter
Fible to his enemies. King Akbar died in
6O5, after brilliant and momentous
fegion Of fiify-two years, and was buried
about six miles north of Agru, under one
of the most magnificent mausoleums in all
India.
W The origin Of the modern city of Agra
quite curious. It seems that the favor
4te residence Of Emperor Akbar was at
uttehpore-Sikri, about twenty three miles
slistant, and here he built some very impos-
lng and beautiful palaces, tombs, mosques
Ind towers, but at last when he wished to
surround the hill on which they stood with
chain of massive Notifications, Goroo,
pr Hindu saint, whom he probably from
motives Of policy kept near him, objected.
fhe holy man could not restrain himself,
put told the emperor his devotions were
'nterfered with by the hustle of the busy
pity and the gayeties Of the court, and
that he had gone twenty times on pilgrim
nges to Mecca, aud never before had his
eomfort and quiet so much disturbed; and
concluded by saying that either his royal
naster or himself must depart "If It be
-FOUR Maiestys will" replied the emperor,
that one should go, let it be your slave,
pray" Akbar, therefore, rebuilt Akbar.
Abad-the city of Agra. aThe court and
the townspeople removed thither, and
uttehpore-Sikri with its massive palace,
ts noble residences, and its deserted streets
Femains 70 the present day monument Of
he splendor and wealth Of It's founder, and
testimony to the despotic power which
reputation for sanctity has in all age.
conferred.
l arranged to spend one day among the
Fains Of Futtehpore-sikri, which may be
yled the Versailles Of Agra The old
ny was built by Sultan Akbar In 1871,