Promotion of Learning in India during Muhammadan Rule (by Muhammadans) c19.s2.1

c19.s2.1

Notwithstanding the confusion that followed in the administration of the country since the accession of Muḥammad Shāh to the throne of Delhi created by the conduct of the two Sayyid brothers and the subsequent invasion of Nādir Shāh, there was yet a brilliant feature upon which the mind delights to dwell, namely the impetus that was given to scientific education, especially to its astronomical branch by the genius of Sewai Jai Singh, Rājā of Amber and founder of the principality of Jaipur. He constructed observatories not only in Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathurā and Benares, but also in Delhi. His observatory in the capital of the Mughal empire was built in 1724, in the fifth year of the reign of Muḥammad Shāh, at the instance of the Emperor. This monument of his genius still exists outside the walls of Delhi. Though it was never completed, and was badly damaged by the Jāṭ marauders within fifty years of its erection, yet it had sufficiently advanced to fulfil the purpose for which it was constructed.² From the Athenians, who were already in the city, were not aware of the plot, but when they saw the Plataeans fighting, they did not wish to attack them, as they were friends, but when they saw that they were being attacked and killed in the city, they were at a loss what to do. They decided to run to the citadel, and some of them escaped there, while others were killed in the streets as they were caught by the Thebans. The women and slaves were screaming and wailing in the houses, and the Thebans, who were in the city, were throwing stones at them, as the confusion was great. In the meantime, the rest of the Thebans, who were outside, hearing the shouting, rushed into the city to help their comrades.