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4 January 1906 — Agra | |
Thursday. 4th [January 1906]. When last we were here we had forgotten to visit the Tomb of the great Akbar & we really returned here in order to do so. So this morning we hired one of the neat little Hotel tum tums & drove to Secunderabad in order to do so. It is a most wonderful monument & even I climbed up many steps in order to see it all. In an upper story is a court surrounded by exquisite lattice work of white marble where the ladies could assemble to mourn their loss unseen. The view from there is lovely. The tomb itself is a curious mixture of red sandstone & white marble. It is interesting to see the place in the marble pillar whence the great Kohinoor diamond was robbed in order later to form one of the best of Q. Victoria’s crown jewels. From there we returned to Agra & drove across the bridge to see the Tomb of Imad-ud-Doula—a good way off but we got back to lunch after. Nela went out with Miss Hogg to the Bazaars. I remained in till after tea when I drove once more to the Taj to see it by sunset & to take my last look at it. I have grown so fond of it that it makes me sad to think I shall never see it more. I sat with Sir Hubert watching the last rays of the sunset glow fade away & the flood of moonlight till it began to get cold & we had to leave the gardens. Had an argument with him abt the desirability of praying for the dead. He is a fervent R.C. & said it was a great comfort to him (he has lost his wife) & I said it had the opposite effect on me—for if I did not feel that our dead are safe with God without requiring our help it would doom me to despair. After dinner Nela went off to see the Taj again by moonlight with Baker– Miss Hogg left. | |
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