VAUCLUSE.

Printed by Ballière-Kad-Wolff.

London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1832.

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

37

covered with cocoa-nut trees, but now totally
unconscious of any symptom of vegetation,
beyond the green turf, with which it is car-
peted. An excellent road, of about two miles
in length, runs through the centre of it, afford-
ing an agreeable drive from the harbour on one
side, to the commencement of the native bazaars
on the other, and running in a parallel line
between the fort and Back Bay.

The Esplanade presents a lively scene in
the dry weather from the number of tents
and temporary bungalows, which spring up,
like mushrooms, directly the rains have sub-
sided, on spots of ground apportioned by the
authorities for the purpose. Besides the
different regiments stationed here, who have
of course allotted lines for their tents, all
officers who hold appointments in Bombay,
either civil or military, are entitled to a com-
pound on the Esplanade; and so delightfully
cool is the situation, that very few fail to avail
themselves of this privilege, though it entails
all the discomforts (serious to a family) of
frequent changes of abode.

And next in favour, not only for the evening

38

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

drive, but as a place of permanent residence, comes the Breach, which is a flat shore on one side of the island, composed of broken up black rocks, against which the foaming surf is perpetually dashing, presenting to the artist's eye that powerful contrast of black and white, in which the wild genius of a Salvator Rosa would delight to revel. Here, the coast opens boldly upon the south and west, from whence our purest breezes proceed; therefore it can easily be understood that the competition is great, whenever a vacancy is likely to occur among the houses at the Breach.

The sea advances upon the shore in the form of a little bay, which is enclosed on one side by the imposing-looking Hindoo Temple of Mahaluxmee standing proudly on its pedestal of black rock, and on the opposite point by a handsome English residence, named “Vaupcluse,” which peeps picturesquely from within the surrounding grove of cocoa-nut trees. The intermediate space is well filled up by houses skirting the road, and crowned by a continued line of green heights, from the summit of which

THE MUP FOR, ©J. MATHESON & CO., MICHIGAN, 1852.

Printed by Matheson & Co. in St. Martin's Street.

London, Richard Bradbury, New Birmingham Street, 1852.

Port of BOMBAY, YP. J. O. KN. B. J. B. L. M. O. S. T. C.

PORT OF BOMBAY, YP. J. O. KN. B. J. B. L. M. O. S. T. C.

London: Richard Bentley, New邦宁on Street, 1852.

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

41

Island of Colabah, which, with the corresponding projection of Malabar Point, terminates the enclosure of the Bay. The cocoa-nut woods of Ghirgaum extend from the native town on the right to the termination of the picture, and far beyond it, and are crowned towards the left by a small eminence called Mazagon Hill, on which several handsome houses have been erected, commanding interesting views of the harbour, and the opposite side of the fort from that already shewn in the sketch taken from Malabar Hill. We subjoin a representation of this scene, as it appears from the drawing-room windows of Belmont, a house charmingly situated on the declivity of Mazagon Hill.

Various other spots in the island are well worth exploring, and amongst these we must not omit to mention the Horticultural Gardens, commenced only a few years back, and now presenting a very thriving and respectable appearance. They are laid out with sufficient taste to form an agreeable promenade in the evenings of the cold season, when at stated times, the indulgence of the Governor's band is permitted.

42

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

In the near neighbourhood of the gardens,
and situated on the hill immediately over
them, is another beautiful point of view,
embracing that portion of Salsette known by
the name of the Neat's Tongue, the Fort
of Sewree, and another sweep of the har-
bour. This place is called Chinchpoogly,
and from its vicinity to the gardens, and
the many natural advantages its situation
presents to botanist and geologist, it has been
selected as the site of a summer residence
by one of our leading men in the scientific
world.

There is another very pleasant drive, across
the Vellarde (or causeway) to a pretty
little promontory bearing the romantic ap-
pellation of Love Grove, which is said to
have originated in the circumstance of this
spot having formerly been selected as the
grand resort of newly married couples during
the honeymoon. Nor was it inappropriately
chosen; for before the construction of the
Vellarde rendered it so easy of access to
all the world, the seclusion was as complete
as even the Arabian desert could offer.

SEWREE.
THE NEAT'S TONGUE,
BOMBAY.

London, Richard Bantley, New Burlington Street, 1850.

Printed by Methuen &WHitman

96

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

themselves at the gates of Purtabghur, to what
they considered an inevitable but less lingering
death. However, to the honour of Sivajee be it
spoken, all the prisoners were received and
treated with the utmost humanity.

From this date, the power of Sivajee rapidly
increased; and he thus not only laid the foun-
dation, but firmly established the dominion of
the great Mahratta dynasty, which lasted until
the downfall of the Pushwa in the year 1817.
That same year the fort of Purtabghur surren-
dered to a British force, commanded by Colonel
Prother, after a very slight resistance. The
Mahrattas of the present day speak with pride
and exultation of this feat of the great Sivajee,
which, according to their ideas, was not only
justifiable, but highly to be commended.

The wagnuk is a small steel instrument, with
four curved and sharply-pointed spikes, at-
tached by a light bar to two rings passing over
the fore and little fingers; so that the weapon
itself is totally concealed within the hand, and
strikes the victim with all the force and deadly
aim of the tiger's claw, from whence it derives
its name.

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

97

The identical wagnuk, with which the
murder was committed, is still exhibited in the
armoury of the late Rajah of Sattara, as well
as the celebrated sword of Sivajee, called
“Bowanee.”

THE WAGNUK WITH WHICH SIVAJEE
MURDERED AYEZOOL KHAN; DRAWN
FROM THE ORIGINAL AT SATTARA.

MANNEN OF USING THE WAGNUK.

The scene of this tragic story could scarcely
fail of being a leading object of interest to
every one who visits Mahabuleshwur; and a
very short time elapsed after our arrival before
we joined a gay party of ladies and gentlemen
in a pic-nic excursion to Purtabghur. Setting
the power of the sun in these mountain regions
at defiance, we all started, after an early break-
fast, about nine o'clock; the most venturesome
amongst the gentlemen on horseback, but
the majority joining the ladies' procession in

H

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

123

our exhausted minds and bodies; and sleep, so vainly courted during the heated nights of the last few weeks, again vouchsafed to exercise his healing influence; and after a delightful night's rest, we all arose ready and willing for adventure and enterprise.

The travellers' bungalow is a neat and comfortable building, conveniently placed on the only piece of level ground to be seen at Khandalla, and which also comprises a very respectable-looking bazaar. Directly opposite the bungalow stands the Elephant Hill, so named from its supposed resemblance to that animal; and in truth we must admit, that with a slight effort of the imagination it is perceptible, especially as regards the trunk and hind-quarters, in the deep-rounded furrows, formed by the sweeping of the waters down the hill-side.

The table-land upon which Khandalla is situated, rises to an elevation of one thousand five hundred feet above the level of the sea, but the highest point of the Elephant Hill, standing five hundred feet higher, we were enabled upon reaching "the forehead" to command a most

BELL EPHANIET HILL, & PIRAYTELEEREN BUNGALOW,
KHANDALLA,
London, Richard Beresby, New Brixton Street, 1103.

Printed by Tindall and Co. Publishers.

128

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

the similitude to an entire human countenance
is absolutely startling, as it appears turned
upwards, with a steady gaze fixed upon
the sky, the outline being sharply defined
against the heavy clouds gathering in the
back-ground. To an imaginative mind it
would seem as if nature, intent upon per-
petuating the memory of a hero, in that
land where his early laurels were culled,
and laughing to scorn the puny efforts of
mortal artists, had spread for her canvass
the imperishable rock, and with the pencil
of immortality had traced in ineffaceable
characters, the stern and majestic lineaments
of a Wellington.

Although, as we have before remarked,
the general effect of the scenery of Khandalla
is more lovely than grand, more softened than
imposing; yet, one spot exists, which may
be said almost to rival Mahabuleshwur in its
wild and terrific beauty, and which has been,
not inaptly named Pandemonium Point. As
the spectator stands on the furthermost ledge
which projects over the rock, he might easily
fancy himself the sole dweller in some unknown

華盛頓
M WILKE'S
M O B E R
KHANDALLA.

London, Richard Beatley, New Burlington Street, 1852

136

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

by flashes of some blue lights, which give so ghastly an appearance to the entire den, that one is glad to escape as quickly as possible into the open air.

Upon the left side of the archway stands a handsome column nearly thirty feet in height, bearing on its summit the figures of three lions, now fast crumbling into decay; and it is rationally supposed that a similar pillar once occupied the spot on the opposite side, where now the temple of Bhowannee intrudes its uncongenial architecture, a perfect caricature on the antiquities which surround it. A miserable little doorway under the handsome arch, is the only entrance to the interior of the grand cave; it is truly a splendid ex-cavation with its roof ribbed and pointed in gothic style, supported by a double row of pillars, each surmounted by a colossal elephant bearing on its trunk a male and female figure.

But so great was the gloom of this vast cavern, that we were obliged to have recourse to torches, before a single object could be discerned, and truly the effect then produced was of the most imposing character, as the

INTERIOR OF THIS CAVE OF HANOVER.

London, Richard Banyerly, New Publishing Office, 1852.

164

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

situated about a mile from the city, rises abruptly from the plain to a considerable elevation, giving a complete view of the surrounding country, and was therefore well selected by the Peishwa Bajee Rao, as his post of observation during the engagement at Kirkee. From this spot not a movement could take place unnoticed, and thus, upon witnessing the discomfiture of his troops, he was enabled instantaneously and effectually to secure his own escape, before it was supposed possible that the news of the engagement could have reached him. The hill is bounded on one side by a large artificial lake, in which stands a pretty well-wooded island of great reputed sanctity, and still held in high veneration by the Brahmins. The temple of the goddess Parhuttee stands on the summit of the hill; and extending nearly down one entire side, are the dwellings of the priests and other contiguous buildings, all enclosed within battlemented walls, and producing from their castellated appearance a very imposing effect when seen from a little distance.

Printed by Matheson & Co. London.

27 DECEMBER, 1832. © F. J.P. DE LUXIÈRE.

London: Richard Bentley, New Publishing Street, 1852.

248

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

to the hospital for the relief of out-door patients.

We have omitted to mention another residence appropriated to the use of the Governor of Bombay, and generally selected as a favourite abode during the hot months of the year; this is a very pretty bungalow, though of small dimensions, beautifully situated on the little headland below Malabar Hill, and which, with the corresponding point of Colaba, incloses Back Bay. This is considered a rural retreat, admitting of relaxation from the ceremony and state entertainments which are incumbent upon the Governor to keep up at Parell. Consequently an invitation to a small dinner party at Malabar Point, is far more appreciated than a card to a formal entertainment at Government House.

The view of this little headland, as seen from the road skirting Back Bay, and leading up to Malabar Hill, is strikingly picturesque. The huge masses of black rock are here of gigantic proportion, offering an effectual barrier to the inroads of the ocean; some detached

M.B., T.D., LEXN., 1838

Printed by Sullivans' Books, London.

London RichardBDulley, New邦hville Street, 1850.

294

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

expedition remains to be accomplished in
mounting the deep, narrow stairs leading
to the terraced roof, which being formed
out of the thickness of the outer wall,
wind round it like a corkscrew, leaving
the entire centre of the building open from
the ground floor to the roof, somewhat
resembling one of the old ancestral halls
of England.

However, the view from the terrace well
repaid us for the labour we had expended
in reaching it; and notwithstanding the aching
of our bones for many a day after, we strongly
advise every one journeying through Ahmed-
nuggur, to pause and pay a visit to the tomb of
Sulabhut Junej.

We must not forget to mention a small
Mussulman building of modern erection,
called "The Dumree Musjid," situated on the
plain, within sight of the fort and English
burial-ground at Nuggur. This is remarkable,
not only for the elaborate carving and immense
size of the stones with which it is constructed,
but from the circumstance of the funds requi-
site for the building having been raised by

20 MARCH 1885. EXTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL.
ALI MOKIDUUGAUR.

Tambesin, Richard Vesely, No. 1, King'sway, Mile End, London, 1885.

LIFE IN BOMBAY.

303

THE SISTERS' TOMB.

Mahmoud Sultan was the eldest son of the Emperor Aurungzebe, and for a long time fought bravely under his banners in the unnatural war raging between him and his brother the Sultan Shoojah. In early youth, and before these unfortunate dissensions had arisen in the family of Shah Jehan, Mahmoud became tenderly attached to his cousin Aesha, daughter of Shoojah; and with the entire consent of his father and uncle, he was solemnly betrothed to her in the city of Delhi, in a spacious and magnificent pavilion temporarily erected for the occasion, to accommodate the vast crowds, who joyfully hailed this union as the harbinger of peace and harmony throughout the empire. These happy anticipations were, alas! soon to be dispelled. But a few years elapsed, when the cupidity of the wily Aurungzebe was awakened by a description of the vast riches contained in the diamond mines of Golconda; and the demon

THE SISTERS' TOMB,

AHMEDNUGGUR.

London, Richard Eustace, New Basingtoen Street, 1862.