Travels in India (Tavernier) 21.2.2

21.2.2

Sāsserām is a town at the foot of the mountains, near to which there is a large tank. You see a small island in the middle, where there is a very beautiful mosque, in which there is the tomb of a Nawāb named Selim-Khān, who had it built during the time he was Governor of the Province. There is a fine stone bridge to cross into the island, which is all flanked and paved with large cut stones. On one of the sides of the tank there is a large garden, in the middle of which is another beautiful tomb of the son of the same Nawāb, Selim-Khān, who succeeded his father in the government of the Province. When you wish to go to the mine of Soulmelpour, of which I shall speak in the last book of this narrative, you leave the main road to Patna, and turn straight southwards by Ekberbourg and the famous fort of Rhodas (Rohtas), as I shall say in the same place. The 18th [December] I crossed, in a boat, the river Sonsou, which comes from the mountains of the south; and, after crossing it, those who have goods have to pay a certain duty. This day my halt was at Daoud-Nagar-Sera (Daudnagar), where there is a fine tomb. 9 coss. The 19th to Halva-sera (Arwal). 10 ,, 20th to Aga-sera (?). . 9 ,, In the morning I met 130 elephants, both large and small, which they were taking to Delhi to the Great Mogul. The 21st to Patna..... 10 coss.