Wf1/4624(7)

Inscription: Signed 'Frith 151' in the negative.

Genre: Urban Topographical Photography

View looking towards the gateway, flanked by fortified towers, with horses and a tent in the foreground: 'The Bab El-'Azab, so called because it is in the lower circuit of the Citadel, or the circuit of the 'Azab, opens on the space of the Rumeyleh. It is a fine old gateway, built since the Turkish conquest of Egypt, but not long after, and retaining the character of the older buildings. The shattered condition of the ramparts testifies to the severe struggles of rival factions in Cairo ... The Rumeyleh is the scene of fairs, as it was formerly of races and other games. The horse-market of Cairo is held in it, and in this view are seen some horses picketted in a row, forming part of the fair ... The lower circuit, that of the 'Azab, was added at a later period, and enclosed by the Turks. The 'Azab were a corps forming part of the garrison of Cairo, who were forbidden to marry, and hence were called the 'Bachelors,' as their name signifies. The wall surrounding their quarters was not constructed for defence against any more serious attack than those occasioned by popular tumults. It is very ruinous, and encumbered by heaps of rubbish rising against its outer face. From this wall the survivor of the massacre of the Memlooks leapt his horse. A small portion of the wall is visible on the left of the view. On the right is a religious house, built against, or forming part of, the wall; and the room with the open arches of wood-work, and deep eaves, is a school-room, after the usual pattern of such rooms in Cairo. Within are some streets, and many houses, but the space is chiefly occupied by a large arsenal and manufactories, built by Mohammad 'Alee...'