Travels in India (Tavernier) 24.1.4

24.1.4

When you have crossed the bridge you straightway enter a wide street which leads to the King’s palace. You see on the right hand the houses of some nobles of the court, and four or five caravansarais, having two storeys, where there are large halls and chambers, which are cool. At the end of this street you find a large square, upon which stands one of the walls of the palace, in the middle of which is a balcony where the King seats himself when he wishes to give audience to the people. The principal door of the palace is not in this square, but in another which is close by ; and you enter at first into a large court surrounded by porticoes under which the King’s guards are stationed. From this court you pass to another of the same construction, around which there are several beautiful apartments, with a terraced roof ; upon which, as upon those of the quarter of the palace where they keep the elephants, there are beautiful gardens, and such large trees, that it is a matter for astonishment how these arches are able to carry such a weight and one may say in general terms that this house has all the appearance of a royal mansion.