1781.c.9(2)

Inscription: Indistinctly captioned in the negative, bottom right, caption inked out.

Genre: Architectural Photography

View looking towards the dome of the Jami Masjid, the building partially obscured by trees, and with a bridge, roadway and houses in the foreground: 'This view is taken from the South-east in nearly the same direction as Plate XII of the First Series, but somewhat further from the building; the bridge in the foreground to the left, on the high road from the fort to the cantonments, is known as the Kazeepara Pool, or Bridge of the Kazees' Ward and of which the lower portion conveys some idea of the science of bridge building in the days of the immortal Akbar, the practice being generally to give as much if not more of pier than waterway!—The additions, or upper portion, exhibit the ingenious expedients which have been made available to increase the width of the Roadway, on the base of the original structure. The buildings to the left are part of the old Saboon ka Kuttra or Soap Market:— This is perhaps the best picture which can be made of the Jumma Musjid, though much of the architectural detail is shut out by the group of trees in the centre. The design of the building is simple and grand, and, from whatever point viewed, its details are in pleasing harmony ... Much of the facing of the North end of the East front, seen in the picture to the right of the front arch in the centre of the building, which had become greatly dilapidated, was removed by the Garrison Engineer about the year 1827 when the domes were also repaired and the gilded spires (Kulus) surmounting the three domes carefully cleaned; but the resistless agency of time, and the destructive effects of the weather have again done their work, and though care and prompt attention may prolong the existence of this fine building for awhile, it is, probably, destined like others of similar construvtion to a premature decay. Considerable expense has lately been incurred by Government in rebuilding a large portion of the arcaded enclosure which surrounds the principal court on the East side ... It is little more than 200 years old—another half-century will possibly (not to say probably) see it a grand ruin.'