which is believed to have been designed for a relic casket. The tope is almost hemispherical. The mound rises from a base one hundred and twenty feet in diameter and fourteen feet high, projecting sufficiently to form a broad, processional path around the stupa. The latter is one hundred and six feet in diameter, and rises to a height of forty-two feet. The circumference of the base is five hundred and fifty feet. The tope is surrounded by a stone railing nine feet high. The large, cut stones have been mortised and fitted in the manner of the Druidical remains at Stonehenge, in England. There were four lofty gateways, facing the cardinal points of the compass; only two of these are now standing. The stones of which the gateways are constructed are beautifully carved, and with great elaboration of detail. Sculptures of elephants, lions and human beings are the most prominent objects in the ornamental design. The date assigned to the tope is about 250 B.C., but the rails and gateways were added at intervals afterwards. Fergusson is inclined to believe that the gateways were erected as late as the first century of the Christian era.

CHAPTER XII.

JHANSI, GWALIOR.

BUNDELKHAND has from time immemorial been distinguished for the turbulence and lawlessness of its people. It has been styled "the classic land of brigandism," and it is said that "in its sombre forests was born the terrible religion of the Thugs." After the aboriginal Bundelas were driven out or submerged in the immigrant population, their successors maintained the old reputation of the province, and it is only within very recent years that it has been reduced to a condition of peacefulness.

Early in the seventeenth century Bir Singh built the fort of Jhansi a few miles to the north of his capital. Instigated by Prince Salím, this chief murdered the notorious Abúl Fazal, the favorite of Akbar, who flattered the Emperor by proclaiming him the "Lord of the Age," who was to bring about the Muhammadan millennium. Akbar sent an army into Bundelkhand and ravaged the country, but Bir Singh made his escape. From that time on, the province was, with brief intervals of comparative peace, the arena of armed conflicts. In 1732 the ruler called

a woman.

upon the Maráthás to aid him in a campaign. Such a summons never failed of a prompt response. The usual result followed. The Maráthás secured a cession to themselves of one-third of the Rájá's territory, and soon annexed the remainder of it, which they held until it passed to the British in 1817. Native rulers were allowed to occupy the throne, although, without exception, they abused their power shamefully. When the Mutiny broke out the State was ruled by The Rání of Jhansi was smarting under two bitter grievances. The British would not permit her to adopt an heir, and they allowed cattle to be killed in the territory, which she held as their deputy. It was with her open encouragement that the native troops broke into revolt, and slew as many Europeans as could be taken unawares. Several of the officers, with their families, took to the Fort, where they stood a siege of a few days. The situation was hopeless, however, and upon the sacred oaths of the rebel leaders, sworn upon the Kurán and upon Ganges water, that their lives would be spared, they surrendered. No sooner were the men unarmed than the entire party-sixty-six in all, mostly women and children-were massacred.

Following this, quarrels broke out between the mutineers at Jhansi, and a contest for supreme authority ensued. For well nigh a year a condition of anarchy prevailed. But at length the British, having relieved the strain at more important points, were

enabled to send a force into the district. The Rání fled with Tantia Topí, and met her ultimate fate at Gwalior.

The Fort of Jhansi is an extremely strong position. It stands upon a lofty rock rising abruptly from the plain. The walls are of solid granite, from sixteen to twenty feet in thickness. The outworks are of similar massive construction, with embrasures for front and flanking artillery fire, and tier upon tierin some places as many as five lines-of loopholes for musketry.

The city, which is completely commanded by the Fort, lies on the north and east sides of it. A strong, fortified wall, rising from eighteen to thirty feet in height, surrounds the city. It is strengthened by numerous bastions furnished with heavy guns. The fortifications and armament are being improved according to modern standards. The result will be to make Fort Jhansi one of the strongest, as it is one of the most important, strategetical positions in India. It came into the possession of the British in 1886 as the result of an exchange with the Mahárájá Sindhia for the fortress of Gwalior.

Gwalior, the capital of the territory of Sindhia, is one of the most ancient and renowned strongholds in India. Native historians are greatly at variance as to the date of the foundation of the place. One of them gives 3101 B.C. as the year, but two others, with whom the most reliable European authori

ties agree, assign 275 A.D. as the time of the foundation.

According to Cunningham, Toramana was a tributary prince under the Guptas, against whom he rebelled and established a great kingdom, including all the country between the Jumna and the Nerbudda.

During the reign of the son of Toramana the Sun Temple was erected and the Suraj Kund excavated, and Gwalior founded by a Kachhwaha chief, who was a leper. This chief, Suraj Sen by name, came to the rock of Gopagírí on a hunting expedition. Upon this hill dwelt a holy hermit, who cured the chieftain of his leprosy. Suraj Sen determined to build a city upon the spot. In this design he was encouraged by Gwalipa, the recluse, who gave him a new name-to wit, Suhan Pál-with the promise that so long as his descendants should retain the cognomen Pál, they should retain their kingdom.

So Suraj Sen, or Suhan Pál, built a fort upon the hill, and called it Gwaliawar out of compliment to his benefactor; and he prospered, and founded a long line of kings, eighty-three of whom bore the surname Pál, but the eighty-fourth called himself Tej Kura, and lost his kingdom.

Then followed a Parihara dynasty, which lived for one hundred years, when Altamsh captured Gwalior. This capture was commemorated by an inscription over the gate of the Urwahi. The Emperor Bábar, in his "Memoirs," says he saw it, and the date was