the seat of the government of the north-western provinces of Bengal, is situate on the south-west or right bank of the river Jumna, which is here a navigable stream. The extent of the city is about four miles in length, and three in breadth: it sweeps along the banks of the river in a semicircle, and suggests, on a distant view, an idea of grandeur; which, however, is not realised on nearer inspection. A well-constructed strand road leads from the Taj Mahal to the custom-house, a distance of two miles; but the principal thoroughfare is a fine broad street, running almost north and south, and nearly bisecting the city. In this locality, the houses, chiefly built of the red stone found in the neighbouring hills, are from three to four stories high. In other quarters of the town the streets, though cleanly, are narrow and irregular, and the houses, for the most part, of mean character. The fort of Agra is, as to appearance, one of the most imposing in India. It is surrounded by high walls and towers of red stone, which command some noble views of the city, its neighbourhood, and the windings of the Jumna. It has a ditch of great depth, and a double rampart, the inner one being of an enormous height, with bastions at regular distances. The fort was invested in 1803 by the army of Lord Lake, and surrendered after a brief resistance. The defences were subsequently improved, but it is still reported to be a place of no great strength.

Agra is famed for some beautiful edifices, the most remarkable of which is the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum erected by the Emperor Shah Jehan to commemorate the virtues of his favourite consort. The name of this distinguished personage was Arjamand Banoo, which, according to oriental usage, was changed on her elevation to that of Mumtazee Zumance, signifying the paragon of the age. The Taj Mahal, of white marble, with four tall minarets of the same material rising at each of its angles, is placed on an elevated terrace, also of white and yellow marble. The interior, containing a central hall, in which are the tombs of the emperor and his queen, is remarkable for its exquisite finish, the pavement being laid with alternate squares of marble, and the walls, screens, and tombs, crowned with flowers, and inscriptions executed in beautiful mosaic of carnelian, lapis lazuli, and jasper, the whole appearing as fresh and almost as perfect as when first completed. Bishop Heber mentions that after all he had heard of this far-famed mausoleum, its beauty rather exceeded than fell short of his expectations. The Taj is surrounded by a lofty wall of red stone, with cupolas and pillars of marble.

Within the walls of the fort are the palace of Shah Jehan, and the Motec Musjid or Pearl Sanctuary, a celebrated mosque of white marble. Outside the walls is another mosque, termed the Junma Musjid, and in the adjoining suburbs of Secundra is the mausoleum of the Emperor Akbar. An English church has been erected in Agra, which is described as a handsome building, and calculated to hold 1000 persons. The population of the city was computed in 1846 at 66,000. Lat. 27. 10. Long. 78. 5.