LAHORE, the capital of the last mentioned province, is situated on the south side of the Ravey river, in North Latitude 31° 50', and East Longitude 73° 48'. It is a place of great antiquity, and has undergone wally revolu tions. After its capture by Sultan Baber in 1520. it wss for some time the residence of the Mogul sovereigns ; and was greatly improved by Acber and his immediate suc cessors. It was afterwards for a long time possessed by the Abdalli Afghans of Cabul, by whom it is named Sikrei ; and is now occupied by Rajah Runjeet Singh, the most powerful of the Seik chiefs.* But as Antristir, about 40 miles to the south-east, is the capital of the Seik nation, Lahore has been greatly neglected, and may be said to be in a progressive state of desolation. In 1665, it is said to have been about a league in extent, and is still a town of considerable size, with a good bazar. The walls are lofty and decorated on the outside, but hastening to ruin. The fort is a place of little strength, having no ditch, or defences for cannon. The river on its northern flank, though about 300 yards in breadth, is neither deep nor rapid, except at the height of the rains. There are several manufactories
of matchlock barrels, which are esteemed the best in India, and also of cotton cloths, and curious carpets. But the wealthier inhabitants have migrated to Amristir, as a place of greater safety, and many of the best private houses are falling into decay. An avenue, celebrated by early Indian travellers, formerly extended from Lahore to Agra, a dis tance of more than 500 miles, having an obelisk at the end of every coss, and at every third coss a well for the refreshment of travellers. The principal remaining curio sity in its neighbourhood is the magnificent mausoleum of Jehangeer, within a wall nearly 600 yards square, about two miles north of the city. Lahore is 380 miles front Delhi ; 517 from Agra ; 639 from Lucknow ; 1356 from Calcutta. See Rennet's Memoir of a Map of Hindostan; Asiatic Annual Register, vol. xi.; and Asiatic Journal, vol. iii. (q)