So Hindoos to which they do not attach some monstrous absurdity to awaken your wonder, but which they themselves implicitly believe. pleased was Eeloo with his cure, that he instantly set about excavating the temples as a mark of his gratitude and piety. History informs us that Eeloo Raj flourished 930 years ago. It is well to observe, that what we write Ellichpore, is pronounced by the natives Eelechpore (the place of Eel). What we write Elora, or Ellora, the natives, Mahomedans, and Hindoos pronounce Yeroola, and Eeloora, as did my Brahman, who was a native of Poona. The Mussulmans have a tradition somewhat similar, save the fiction regarding the maggots and the cure of the Eel Raj. They say he first excavated the caves; then, being pleased with his handyworks, he tried his ingenuity upon the mountain at Dowlutabad, which certainly is nothing but a huge mountain of rock hewn all round, insulated, and one entire mass of scarping. This strong fortress is the key to the Deccan. Its Hindoo name of Deo Ghur Fort of God) assimilates with its vicinity to the houses of the gods; but then, if this is the fact in what regards Eeloo, what becomes of the name by which it was known to the ancients as Tagara? or, probably, Eeloo only fortified the hill. The wonderful man who first occupied himself in forming the curious and astonishing temples at Elora, would probably have wished to have had as equally singular and curious a fortress in its vicinity for refuge in times of need; and that he obtained in the fortress of Dowlutabad (city of riches)*. I shall have occasion to speak of this fortress in its proper place; but I cannot give a better idea of its value and importance than by mentioning that it was betrayed and sold by a former governor, Fatté, to Mahobet, for an annual pension of 25,000l. These acts of treachery are as common in Asia as they are uncommon with us. To the fidelity of the British character, and our non-interference in the laws, customs, and above all, the religious prejudices of the natives, do we owe our power and prosperity in India. Once let us, as fanatics and reformers, suddenly and directly interfere with their institutions and creeds, and farewell to India. Those persons who wish for any political information regarding Hyderabad are referred to the Big Blue Book, a little mountain of a volume, (700 folio pages,) entitled, pages,) entitled, "Hyderabad Reminiscences," published by authority, at the India House. *The province is very fertile, but of late years has been in a distracted state. In an old book, the Soubah is said to have produced 12,180,413 rupees. The capital (Hyderabad) is 144 miles N. E. of Aurungabad. CHAPTER XIV. Siva's Koond-Banyan Tree-Brahmans-Zeratoosht-Christianity-Medical Skill-Demoralization of the ancient Hindoos-AUM-Polytheism-Former Travellers-Solomon's Temple-English Authors-Linschoten-Father GamelliSir W. Jones-Farewell to ELORA. THE people about Elora affirm, that there is a subterranean communication to Dowlutabad. I heard the same report on the road. It is said to commence at the dismal spot where I fell into the water. Whether such a passage exists or not is a dubious matter; but all we can say is, that the workmen who, with incredible labour, have hewn out the mountain of Elora, and have done the same at Dowlutabad, were capable of performing any labour, however arduous, in completing the two grand works, one for religious purposes, the other for defence, and both the offspring of the chisel. The cistern where Eeloo was cured and purified is still held in high sanctity, and is visited by numbers of pilgrims. It is called Siva's Koond (Māhā Deo's cistern), Turt or Teert-hee (place of pilgrimage.) A large establishment of priests was maintained by the Holkar family. The well is near the village; but no one but a Brahman of the highest order is allowed to touch the water, and to dispense the miraculous liquid to the devout and faithful. In a former part I have mentioned two or three sacred plants: the cocoa-nut tree is one; the prolific and beautiful mango-tree* is another: nor is the banyan-tree, as we erroneously call the racimiferous fig-tree, (ficus Indica) omitted; its large size, the shade it affords, but above all to the Hindoo imagination, its branches spreading out with sprigs descending and taking root in the ground, and reproducing from the parent stock a family of trees, is quite in accordance with their ideas of the generative power; consequently, the Ling or Hanuman is often seen carved on a stone, and resting among the descending branches. In the beautiful and soft scenery of Indian landscape, nothing in the vegetable kingdom can be grander than a venerable and majestic banyan, with its numerous offsprings spreading around the parent like so many pillars. Why should I proceed farther in description, when Milton has so sweetly sung its characters ? "The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd But such as at this day to India known In Malabar or Deccan spreads her arms, * No fruit in England, in my opinion, is equal to the fine and sweet Alphonso mango, so named from a graft introduced by the Portuguese. They are sometimes as big as the top of a pint pot; they are not luscious to the taste, neither are they soft: they are firm and unexcelled in flavour by any fruit whatever, and while they last, the supply is most bounteous. What is singular in this fruit is, that scarcely any two mangoes off the samne tree are of the same colour inside. Branching so broad and long, that in the ground High over-arch'd, and echoing walks between." Some of these trees cover a large piece of ground, where a hundred people might be well shaded, and dine at tables in these sacred groves*. A sylvan god (Kubur-bur) is generally found, to whom devotions are paid by the Hindoo, not to the idol, but as a representation or memento of the Almighty's goodness and energies. Isaiah, 40th chapter, 20th verse, probably alludes to the Banyan tree, which never rots?" He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation, chooseth a tree that will not rot; ho seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved.” It is not my intention to enter into any theological discussion; for too much has already been written and said on the subject of converting the Hindoos, an act which I consider quite impracticable. The ancient Brahmans of India avoided cities, and sought the solitudes of forests and caves, where they could pursue their religious duties in peace. and retirement; uniting with the character of priests those of sages, philosophers, and law-givers †. *Khubber, (Arabic) Great. There is a Banyan tree near Broach, which is said to be so immensely large as to afford shelter to six thousand persons at one time. The words Nadir and Zenith, which we have borrowed, are Arabic. In the institutes of Menu, the great law-giver, it is ordained, |