The Eruption
 

[   Pt.II
 

4
 

CHAPTER VII

BENARES AND ALLAHABAD
 

About four hundred and sixty miles from Calcutta lies the
ancient city of Benares, on the banks of the sacred Ganges,
shining in all her historical glory. Benares is surely the queen
of all the cities that have been built by the side of the cool, clear,
and holy waters of the Bhagirathi. The rows of houses mount¬
ing higher and higher from the banks of the Ganges, the domes
of tall temples with golden steeples glittering in the sun, the
thick rows of trees gracefully raising their heads to the sky,
the grand harmony of the innumerable bells sounded in the
temples, and, above all, the sacred temple of Vishweshvara,
all these give a unique splendour to the city of Benares. The
pleasure-seekers go there for amusement, the devoted for
prayer, the Sanyasis for contemplation, and the holy for sal¬
vation. All these achieve their various purposes in the holy
city, For people who are satiated with the pleasures of the
world, holy Benares is a place of retirement, and for those
unfortunates whose hopes and desires of happiness in this world
are shattered by the jealousy and spite of cruel and wicked
men, Benares and the sprays of the cool Ganges are a haven of rest.

Thanks to the English, there was no want of such unfortunate
men in 1857 coming to end their days of toil in that haven of
refuge and peace. Several Hindu and Mahomedan nobles,
helpless since the palaces of Delhi were closed to them, and the
plundered royal families of Sikh and Mahratta princes, were
telling their tale of woe in Benares in every temple and every
Musjid.    In this holy city, it is no surprise that the degradation

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