[A Woman’s Journey Round the World by Ida Pfeiffer]@TWC D-Link bookA Woman’s Journey Round the World CHAPTER XIII 17/61
Even without lights, it glittered and sparkled most marvellously; what must be the effect when innumerable lamps throw back their rays a thousandfold! Such a sight enables one easily to understand the imaginative descriptions of the Eastern tales of "a thousand-and-one nights." Such palaces and rooms may be truly considered works of magic. Near the palace stands a small mosque, which is also entirely constructed of white marble, richly and artistically furnished with arabesques, reliefs, etc. Before leaving the fortress, I was led to a deep underground vault-- the former scene of numerous secret executions.
How much innocent blood may have been shed there! The Jumna Mosque, which the erudite affirm to surpass that of Soliman's in Constantinople, stands outside the fortress, upon a high terrace near the river.
It is of red sandstone, has the same wonderful domes, and was built by the Sultan Akbar.
In the arches are to be seen remains of rich paintings in light and dark-blue, intermixed with gilding.
It is to be regretted that this mosque is in a rather dilapidated condition; but it is hoped, however, that it will soon be completely restored, as the English government have already commenced repairing it. From the mosque we returned again to the town, which is, for the most part, surrounded by rubbish.
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