Vegetable productions.]—The observations made on Exterior India, or the countries beyond the Ganges, are, in this particular, applicable in a still higher degree to Hindostan. No part of the surface of the globe possesses a more fertile soil, or a climate better adapted to the most luxuriant vegetation, than the well-watered tracts of this prolific region. The liberality with which nature has scattered her choicest gifts over this favoured country, is boundless, and scarcely equalled in any other part of the world. Double harvests, and two crops of fruits from many of the trees, and from most of the rest a copious and regular supply during the greatest part of the year, have, from time immemorial, been the support of a numerous population; while its timber of every quality, its plants of medicinal virtue, its exquisite drugs for dyeing, its cottons, and other vegetable articles of clothing, which offer to the inhabitants the materials of enjoyment, have undoubtedly contributed in an eminent degree to their early civilization. Rice is the grain that is chiefly cultivated, and constitutes the principal food of the Hindoos. The cultivation of cotton is widely diffused. The various kinds of fruits are so numerous, and most of them so little known in Europe, even by name, that the bare mention of them would be unnecessary and tedious. The forests also surpass in luxuriance of vegetation any idea that Europeans can form: creeping plants of prodigious size and length, extended from tree to tree, forming an impervious wilderness, and an impenetrable gloom. Such are the forests near the mouths of the Ganges, and in some other unexplored parts of the country. Zoology. The zoology of Hindostan is also a copious. theme. Horses are numerous; and the armies of the Hindoo princes have a large proportion of cavalry. The most celebrated Indian breed appears to be from Lahore; but the grandees are chiefly supplied from Arabia and Persia. The interior breeds are ill-shaped, but active; and in some districts there are ponies not exceeding thirty inches in height. The horses of Thibet are often used in the countries contiguous to the Ganges; and wild asses come in herds from central Asia to the northern mountains. Horned cattle also abound, and many of them are of a large size. The sheep of Hindostan are hairy rather than woolly, except in the northern parts. The camel is not unfrequent in the vicinity of Patna. The zoology of this extensive region comprises almost every species of wild and ferocious animal except the lion, which appears to have never been known in Hindostan. The royal tiger of Bengal, however, is not inferior to the lion in strength and ferocity. His strength is such, that he will easily carry off a man; and the distance to which he springs on his prey is almost incredible. Fatal accidents have happened to parties of pleasure on the banks of the Ganges, from the sudden appearance of this terrible animal. Elephants are common; and the rhinoceros abounds in the swamps of the Gangetic isles.* Natural curiosities.]—Hindostan abounds with singular and striking features of nature. Such are the Gangetic Sunderbunds, with their impenetrable forests, the extensive inundations of the plains in the rainy season, and the grand aspect of the northern mountains covered with perpetual snow; to which may be added the numerous detached rocks, often crowned with strong fortresses. The beautiful province of Cashmire, in the north-west part of Hindostan, may altogether be reckoned a natural curiosity: such indeed it has ever been esteemed, and we cannot but applaud the taste of the Mogul emperors, who used to visit this delightful region, and seemed to forget the cares of government, while surrounded by the charms of nature. Cashmire is an elevated and extensive valley, of about eighty British miles in length, and about forty in breadth, according to Mr. Forster's account; but M. Rennell, from a comparison of different authorities and estimates, supposes the breadth to be not less than fifty miles. This delightful plain is surrounded by stupendous mountains, the regions of perpetual snow, which, by their height, shut out the heavy rains that deluge the rest of India. There falls, however, a quantity sufficient to feed thousands of cascades, which precipitate themselves into the valley from every part of the stupendous and romantic bulwark by which it is encircled. These numerous streams intersecting every part of the plain, contribute to form the river of Belut, the famous Hydaspes of Alexander, who appears to have crossed it about 100 miles * For a minute account of Indian zoology, vide Pennant, vol. 2. : below its outlet from the valley. This river, rising in the south-east part of Cashmire and receiving numerous rivulets, becomes navigable within a few miles of its source, and pervading the whole plain by a north-west course, finds a passage through the mountains of Barchmoolah. History and tradition agree that the province of Cashmire was originally a lake, formed by the rivulets descending on all sides from the mountains, and afterwards dried in consequence of the waters forc ing an outlet. M. Rennell makes no doubt of the fact, of which he says every appearance impresses the strongest conviction.t The soil of Cashmire is the richest that can be conceived, abounding in all the productions of the temperate zone. Many small lakes are scattered over the surface; and the whole scenery is beautifully picturesque, as a part of the romantic circle of mountains makes a portion of every landscape. The superstition of the sequestered inhabitants has multiplied places of worship. All Cashmire is holy land and miraculous fountains abound. This delightful valley is celebrated throughout Asia for its romantic beauties, for the fertility of its soil, and for the temperature of its climate. A journey to Cashmire in the spring, was, by the Mogul emperors, reckoned the highest gratification that luxury could afford. This spot, so greatly favoured by nature, in other respects is however subject to one dreadful evil. Earthquakes are frequent; and in order to guard against their terrible effects, the Cashmireans construct their houses chiefly of wood. The principal city, which, as well as the country, is called Cashmire, though formerly named Sirinagur, is large, and built on both sides of the Behut, which glides along with a smooth current. This beautiful province, which abounds with curious manufactures, is chiefly distinguished by that of shawls, made from the wool of Thibet, and worn by the English ladies. But although the demand for that article appears so extensive, the manufacture is declined to one fourth of its former quantity, a circumstance which must be ascribed to the decline of the † Ibid. p. 145, 146. • Rennell's Mem. p. 99. Rennell's Mem. p. 135. 143. For an accurate description of Cashmire, a country so interesting to the naturalist and the philosopher, see Forster's Trav. vol. 1. p. 223, &c. Hindostanic and Persian empires. The Cashmireans have a language of their own, which is said to be more ancient than the Sanscrit. Artificial curiosities and antiquities.]-Hindostan abounds with Mahomedan and Pagan monuments; but none of them -display any thing so magnificent or striking, as to merit a particular description. COUNTRIES TO THE NORTH OF HINDOSTAN, VERY IMPERFECT LY KNOWN. To the north of Hindostan, and bordering on Thibet, are the kingdoms of Asam, Nipaul, Gorca, Kemaoon, and Sirinagur, countries very imperfectly known. Bootan has already been considered as an appurtenance to Thibet. Asam is divided into two parts by the Burrampooter, and separated from Tḥibet by a chain of mountains.* Gold is found in the sands of the rivers; and the country produces sugar, cocoa-nuts, pepper, and ginger, with silk, which is said to equal that of China. The Hindoo religion is unknown to the generality of the people, although some Bramins are found in the country. The natives are brave and robust. Ghargon, the capital and seat of the Rajah, stands on the south side of the Burrampooter. The palace, public saloon, &c. have a rude resemblance to those of the Birmans. The kingdom of Nipaul is an extensive plain, about 200 miles in circuit, overspread with populous towns and villages, and resembling a vast amphitheatre amidst ranges of lofty mountains. In the northern part is Catmandu, the capital, containing about 18,000 houses; and in the southwestern part, the city of Lelit Pattan, still more extensive, the number of houses being computed at 24,000. Batgan, Timi, and Cipoli, are also considerable towns. In Nipaul, there are two religions, one Hindoo, the other a schismatical branch of that of Thibet. The temples are remarkably elegant: that of Banga, about three miles from the city of Lelit Pattan, displays a surprising magnificence, the great court being paved with a blueish-coloured marble, interspersed with flowers of bronze. The kingdom of Nipaul is said to be ancient, and its * Asiat. Res. vol. 2. p. 171. COUNTRIES TO THE NORTH OF HINDOSTAN. - 17 language peculiar. But it has lately been agitated by civil wars, and at length subdued by the king of Gorca, who has also extended his conquests over several other countries in the neighbourhood. To the west of Nipaul are a number of petty kingdoms, of which little is known; but of Sirinagur we have a recent description. This frontier province is bounded by the lofty ridge of snowy mountains stretching in an extensive line from west to east, at the distance of eighty miles from the town of Sirinagur. At the foot of this immense chain, and near the base of its most conspicuous summits, stands the temple of Badrinaut, a celebrated place of Hindoo worship. The country is almost an entire mass of mountains, and extremely poor. The mineralogy, if industriously explored, however, might perhaps, in some measure, compensate the sterility of its rocky surface. Gold is found in the sands of the rivers; and there are mines of copper and lead. The rajah of Sirinagur and his subjects follow the Hindoo religion.† Bernini. Asiat. Res. vol. 2. p. 307. † See a curious account of Sirinagur. Asiat. Res. vol. 6. p. 309. |