We went all over the palace in the fort, a very magnificent building
constructed by Shah Jahan within fortifications raised by his
grandfather Akbar.[20]
The fretwork and mosaic upon the marble pillars and panels are equal
to those of the Taj; or, if possible, superior; nor is the design or
execution in any respect inferior, and yet a European feels that he
could get a house much more commodious, and more to his taste, for a
much less sum than must have been expended upon it. The Marquis of
Hastings, when Governor-General of India, broke up one of the most
beautiful marble baths of this palace to send home to George IV of
England, then Prince Regent, and the rest of the marble of the suite
of apartments from which it had been taken, with all its exquisite
fretwork and mosaic, was afterwards sold by auction, on account of
our Government, by order of the then Governor-General, Lord W.
Bentinck. Had these things fetched the price expected, it is probable
that the whole of the palace, and even the Taj itself, would have
been pulled down, and sold in the same manner.[21]
We visited the Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque.
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