eating-slabs are probably in exactly the same position now as they were when they were last used, for they are of no value to the thief and are too heavy to be moved. Placed as they are, they form an interesting relic of Hindoo life of five hundred years ago.

The principal ruins are those of temples, of which there is an enormous number. They are scattered about everywhere, on the tops of hills and on the level ground. The most important of these are that of Hazára Ramaswamy, in the inner circle near the King's palace, with some beautifully carved pillars in black granite; the large temple at Humpi, which is in good repair and is even now largely frequented, and the temple of Vittelaswamy near the river. The latter has some beautifully carved pillars of a very rare and elegant pattern, and in front of the temple is what is probably a unique piece of carving in the shape of a large stone car, modelled on the pattern of an ordinary wooden car. This car unfortunately shows a number of cracks, and was in danger of falling to pieces; but the present Collector of Bellary Mr. R. Sewell, since retired, who takes not only an archæological, but also a keen personal interest in the ruins of this old city, has had the heavy superstructure of brickwork, with which the car was loaded, removed, and, relieved from this superincumbent weight, it is to be hoped that the car will stand for many more years to come, though it might be advisable to have it protected from the ravages caused by the weather.

At present the only two portions of the city which are inhabited are Kamalapoor, at the southwest end of the tank, which is called after its name, and Humpi, in the southwest corner of the city near the river. Kamalapur is a small village, the houses of which have a substantial appearance, being built from the stones of one of the walls. Here there is a small bungalow constructed out of an old temple.

A winding road leads from here through the ruins of the old city, past old temples and through crumbling gateways until Humpi is reached. Here there are the remains of a broad street fringed by what were shops and possibly noblemen's houses; some of these are pretentious, having columns in front, and a few of them are still inhabited. At the north end of this street is the temple, one of the towers or Goparams of which, was rebuilt by a former Collector of Bellary, Mr. Robertson, whose name is held in high reverence in consequence. None of the temples in or near the old city are of later date than the 14th Century, with the exception of one or two very small buildings, which Mr. Sewell is of opinion may be of an older period. This shows that, previous to the 14th Century, the place was one of insignificance, and that the whole of the vast mass of temples, which must at one time have existed, are due to the liberality of the Kings of the new dynasty. At present the very name of Vijayanagar seems in danger of being forgotten. The ruins are generally called the ruins of Humpi, and many who are familiar with that name are unaware that they form the only remains of what was once the largest and richest Hindoo city of Southern India. On the north bank of the river there was once a large suburb which was also defended by walls; a portion of this suburb now forms the small village of Anagoondy, where lives, in sadly reduced circumstances, the sole representative of the Vijayanagar Kings. But, poor though he is, he is still looked upon by all the inhabitants of the district with great respect, and whenever there is a family festival in his house, the Baiders turn out in large numbers to do him honour, and prostrate themselves before him when he appears in public. He is, however, but the shadow of a once great name.

ters in marriage. It is said of him that he was strict in his religious observances, with the exception of drinking wine and listening to music, but he consoled himself for committing these two offences against Islam by saying that "music lifted his mind to contemplate the divinity, and that wine did not make

him passionate, and, therefore, he hoped that hereafter he would not be questioned about them, but find mercy from a forgiving Creator."

Feroze Shah paid very great attention to the development of trade, and every year despatched vessels from the ports of Goa and Choule. These ships not only brought back merchandize of different countries, but, the captains were also charged to invite persons celebrated for their talents to visit the Sultan's Court. Another kind of visitors in whom the Sultan delighted were women, and in his harem were females of all nations: Arabians, Circassians, Georgians, Turks, Russians, Europeans, Chinese, Afghans, Rajputs, Bengalis, Guzeratecs, Telinganees, and others. We are told that he could speak with each in her own language, but this is doubtless an exaggeration.

In the second year of the Sultan's reign, war broke out with the King of Vijayanagar whom Ferishta names Dewul Roy. According to the Hindoo inscriptions, the King of Vijayanagar in 1398 was Hari Hara II. The words "Deva" are more honorific titles than actual names. Almost all Hindoo Kings termed themselves Deva, and Roy or Raya is simply another form of Rajah. The names therefore of the Hindoo Kings as given by Mahomedan historians are not to be relied upon. The real names as now ascertained are derived from inscriptions. which are far more to be depended upon, although not always absolutely so. The Vijayanagar King invaded the Doab with a large army in order to possess himself of Mudkul. At the same time the Rajah of the Telingana, (Nursinga) country, invaded the Berars, and the Sultan had to detach a large portion of his troops to defend this portion of his dominions. When the Sultan reached the river Kistna, he found the Vijayanagar forces camped on the other side, and the river being in flood, he was unable to cross. A Kazi in the Sultan's army, named Siraj, offered to cross the river and secure a passage. This he did by a most daring adventure. The Kazi

with seven of his friends disguised themselves as religious mendicants, and crossing the river went to that part of the Rajah's Camp, which was frequented by dancing girls. The Kazi pretended to fall in love with the chief of these, and when night came on, and he found that the girl was going to an entertainment at the tent of the Rajah's son, he persuaded her to take him with her as one of the musicians, he being well-skilled in performing on the mandel, or Hindoo lute. This the girl consented. to, and in the midst of the entertainment, whilst performing a dagger dance, the Kazi and one of his friends rushed in on the Rajah's son, and plunged their daggers into his body. In the confusion that ensued, the lights were extinguished and a number of Hindoos killed; a report was spread that the Sultan had crossed the river, and the whole camp was in a state of alarm. In the meantime the Sultan did actually cross with about four thousand picked men, and effected a landing without opposition. Surprised in this manner the whole army took to flight, and the King fled to Vijayanagar, where he shut himself up, an immense number of Hindoos being slain. A peace very shortly ensued, and the Rajah paid as a ransom for the Brahmins who had been captured eleven lakhs of pagodas, or Hoons or Huns; and upon this the Sultan returned to Gulburga. In the following year, he marched to punish Nursinga, who was driven out of Berar without much difficulty, and compelled to shut himself up in Kurleh, one of his own forts. Here after a siege of two months, he surrendered and went in person to the Sultan's camp at Ellichpore to make his submission. He was pardoned and reinstated, and is said to have been submissive thereafter. In 1401 Feroze Shah sent ambassadors to Timur the great conqueror, and proffered his allegiance. This was graciously accepted, and in return the Sultan was named sovereign of Malwa and Guzerat in addition to the Deccan. Considering, however, that both Malwa and Guzerat were already in the possession of two Mahomedan