Storia do Mogor 100.4

100.4

These three rivers flow below the city of Banaras (Benares), ninety leagues from Allahabad, pass near the city of Patana (Patnah), forty leagues distant from Benares, then flowing onwards, water the shores of the small town of Muguer (Munger) at a distance of eighty leagues from Patnah, and, continuing their course, greet the town of Ragemahal (Rajmahal) at forty leagues from Munger. There they divide into two branches : one, keeping the name of Ganges, flows as far as Ugulim (Hughli) in Bengal, and from Hughli goes southward to the sea; the other branch, under the name of Jamnah, flows near the town of Daca (Dhakah), where it mingles with other great rivers. We were some days in Allahabad, and the then governor was Bahadur Khan, who was absent on a campaign against some villagers who objected to pay their revenue without, at least, one fight, just as the villagers near Agrah do, as I have recounted (I. 83). Leaving Allahabad, I took the road for Benares by land, carrying with me a passport, as is the practice of all travellers. The route was level and without hills, and in eight days we came to the city of Benares, where we remained several days. This city is small but very ancient, and venerated by the Hindus, by reason of a temple there possessing a very ancient idol. Some years after my visit Aurangzeb sent orders for its destruction, when he undertook the knocking down of all temples, as I will state in the proper place (II. 116).