Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s Note: This book was published in two volumes, of which this is the second. The first volume was released as Project Gutenberg ebook #74042, available at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/74042.

From an Original Hindoo Painting

فاني پارکس]

WANDERINGS OF A PILGRIM,
IN SEARCH OF
The Picturesque,
DURING FOUR-AND-TWENTY YEARS IN THE EAST;
WITH
REVELATIONS OF LIFE
IN
THE ZENĀNA.

BY
فاني پارکس

ILLUSTRATED WITH SKETCHES FROM NATURE.

“Let the result be what it may, I have launched my boat.”

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.

LONDON:
PELHAM RICHARDSON, 23, CORNHILL.
1850.

LONDON:
GILBERT & RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,
ST. JOHN’S SQUARE.

CONTENTS TO VOL. II.

PAGE

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE MAHRATTA CAMP AND ZENĀNA.

1835, _April 6th._

Arrived at Fathīghar—The Sitar versus the Dital Harp—The
Mahratta Camp—Her Highness the Bāiza Bā’ī—Jankee Rāo—The
Gaja Rājā Sāhib—Visit to the Ex-Queen—Dress of the
Mahrattas—The Sword of Scindia—The English Side-saddle—Pān
and Atr—Departure—The Arab at the Zenāna Gates—Her Highness
a good judge of a Horse—Absurdity of a Side-saddle—The Gaja
Rajah’s Horsemanship—A Challenge—The Kurk—The Pilgrim receives
a Title—The Idols—The six Wives of Appa Sāhib—Oppression
of the Laws with respect to Widows—Recipe for Hooqŭ
Cakes—Superstitions of the Natives—Lucky and Unlucky Marks on
Horses—Tiger-claw Charms—To tame vicious Horses—Assam Coins 1

CHAPTER XL.

THE NAWAB HAKĪM MENHDĪ, AND CITY OF KANAUJ.

1835, _April 15th._

Zenāna of the Nawab of Fathīghar—The Nawab Hakīm Menhdī—His
Attire and Residence—Shawl Manufactory—The Muharram—Visit
to the Zenāna of the Nawab—Lord Brougham—Molineux and
Tom Cribb—The Burkā—Departure from Fathīghar—Return
to Allahabad—Voyage on the Ganges—The Legend of
Kurrah—Secunder-al-Sānī—The Satī—A Squall—Terror of the
Sarang—The Kalā Nadī—Ruins of Kanauj—The Legend—Ancient
Coins—Rose-water—Burning the Dead—Arrival at Fathīghar 16

CHAPTER XLI.

THE MAHRATTA CAMP AND SCENES IN THE ZENĀNA.

1835, _September 8th._

Mutiny in Camp—Murder of the Prisoners—The Mutiny quelled by
the Military—Visit to the Zenāna—The Swing of the Gaja Rājā—The
Seagull in Parda—The Bā’ī Visits the Pinnace—How to dress a
Camel—The Vicious Beast—Lucky and Unlucky Days—Her Highness
ordered to Benares 32

CHAPTER XLII.

THE MAHRATTAS AT ALLAHABAD.

1835, _October_.

Zenāna of the Nawāb of Farrukhabad—The Nawāb Hakīm
Menhdī—Hidden Treasures—The Jak—Dāk to Cawnpore—The
Nawāb of Banda—Returned Home in the Seagull—Mr. Blunt,
the Lieutenant-Governor, quitted the Station—Arrival of
Mr. Ross—The Bāiza Bā’ī sent to Allahabad—Arrival of her
Highness—Parties in the Mahratta Camp—Opium-Eating—Marriage
Ceremonies of the Hindoos—Procession in Parda—The Bride—Red
Gold—The Ex-Queen’s Tents at the Tribeni—The Bathing—Presents
to the Brahmans—Arrival of Sir Charles Metcalfe—Sohobut
Melā—Illness of the Gaja Rājā Sāhib—Murder of Mr. Frazer—The
Bāiza Bā’ī a State Prisoner—The Power of Magic 40

CHAPTER XLIII.

TŪFĀNS IN THE EAST.

1836, _June 28th._

A Storm on the Jumna—An Amazonian Mahratta Lady—Putlī Coins—The
Mint at Gwalior—East India Company’s Rupees—Departure of Sir
Charles Metcalfe—Murder of two Ladies in a Zenāna—The Steamer
and Tug—Rajmahal Tiger—Cotton Seed—Nagapanchmee—Wreck of
the Seagull—A Fierce Tūfān—Arrival of Sir Henry Fane—Visit
to the Bāiza Bā’ī—River Voyage to Calcutta—Chunar—The God
Burtreenath—Ghāt of Appa Sāhib—Ghāt of the Bāiza Bā’ī—Her
Treasury seized by the Government—The Chiraghdanīs—The
Minarets—Native Merchants—Kimkhwāb Manufactory—The Junéoo—House
of the Bāiza Bā’ī—The Iron Chests of Gold Mohurs—Rooms full
of Rupees, of Copper Coins, and of Cowries—Vishwŭ-Kŭrma, the
Architect of the Gods 53

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE SPRING-BOW.

1836, _November 21st._

Ghāzīpūr—Tomb of Lord Cornwallis—Palace of the Nāwab
of Ghāzīpūr—Beerpūr—Satīs—The Murda Ghāt—Buxar—The
Stud—Bulliah Melā—Blue Waters of the Soane—Swimming
an Elephant—A Day too late for the Fair—Hājīpūr—The
Gunduc River—Thieves—Futwa—Tarie-trees—Monghir—The Seeta
Khoond—Janghīra—Mosque and Graves—Rocks of Kuhulgaon—Desertion
of the Dāndees—Sikrī-galī—An Adventure in the Hills of
Rajmahal—Tiger Tracks—The Spring-bow—By’ā Birds—The
Hill-man—Poisoned Arrows— The Thumb-ring—Bauhinia Scandens 65

CHAPTER XLV.

THE RUINS OF GAUR.

1836, _December 4th._

Sporting at Rajmahal—Ruins of the Palace of the Nawāb—Brahmanī
Ducks—The Ruins of Gaur—The Dakait—An Adventure—Beautiful
Ruins—Pān-gardens—The Kadam Sharīf—Curious Coins—Jungle
Fever—Casowtee Stone—Fields of the Mustard Plant—Ancient
Bricks—Fakīrs tame Alligators—Salt Box—An Account of the Ruin
of Gaur 79