It is situated in the second climate. Its length from Ghátampúr on the Allahabad side to Palwal on that of Delhi is 175 kos. In breadth it extends from Kanauj to Chandéri iu Málwah. On the east lies Ghátampúr; to the north, the Ganges; to the south Chandéri, and to the west, Palwal. It possesses many rivers, of which the principal are the Jumna and the Chambal. The former flows down from the northern mountains, the latter rises at Hásilpúr in Málwah and unites with the Jumna at Kálpi. Ranges of hills lie scattered to the south. The excellence of its climate is almost unrivalled. Agriculture is in perfection. Fruits and flowers of all kinds abound. Sweet-scented oil, and betel-leaf of the first quality are here obtained, and its melons and grapes rival those of Persia and Transoxiana. Agra is a large city and possesses a healthy climate. The river Jumna flows through it for five kos, and on either bank are delightful villas and
pleasant stretches of meadow. It is filled* with people from all countries and is the emporium of the traffic of the world. His Majesty has built a fort of red stone, the like of which travellers have never recorded. It contains more than five hundred buildings of masonry after the beautiful designs of Bengal and Gujerat which masterly sculptors and cunning artists of form have fashioned as architectural models. At the eastern gate are two elephants of stone with their riders graven with exquisite skill. In former times Agra was a village dependent on Biánah*. Sultan Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital,* but his present Majesty embellished it and thus a matchless city has arisen. On the opposite side of the river is the Chár Bágh, a memorial of Bábar.* It was the birth-place of the writer of this work, and the last resting-place of his grandfather* and his elder brother. Shaikh Alá u'ddín Majzúb, Rafíiu'ddin Safawí and many other saintly personages also repose there.
Near the city on the banks of the river Jumna is a village called Rangtah, a much frequented place of Hindu worship.
Fateḥpúr was a village formerly one of the dependencies of Biánah, and then called Síkrí, situated twelve kos distaut from Agra. After the accession of his Majesty, it rose to be a city of the first importance. A masonry fort was erected and two elephants carved in stone at its gate inspire astonishment. Several noble buildings also rose to completion and although the royal palace and the residences of many of the nobility are upon the summit of the hill, the plains likewise are studded with numerous mansions and gardens. By the command of his Majesty a mosque, a college and a religious house were also built upon the hill, the like of which few travellers can name. In the neighbourhood is a tank, twelve kos in circumference and on its embankment his Majesty constructed a spacious courtyard, a minár, and a place for the game of Chaugán; elephant fights were also exhibited. In the vicinity is a quarry of red stone whence columns and slabs of any dimensions can be excavated. In these two cities under his Majesty's patronage carpets and fine stuffs are woven and numerous handicraftsmen have full occupation. Biánah in former times was a large city. It possesses a fort containing many buildings and cellars, and people at the present day still find therein weapons of war and copper utensils. There is also a lofty tower. Fine mangoes grow here, some of them more than two pounds in weight. Sugar of extreme whiteness is also manufactured. Here too is a well, with the water of which mixed with white sugar, they make cakes weighing two pounds more or less which they call kandaurah (with no other water will they solidify) and these are taken to the most distant parts as a rarity. Indigo of finest quality is here to be obtained, selling at ten to twelve rupees per man weight. Excellent hinna is also to be found, and here are the tombs of many eminent personages.
Todah Bhím is a place at a distance of three kos, from which is a pit full of water, the depth of which none has sounded. Mines of copper and turquoise are said to exist, but the expense of working them exceeds their income.
Mathura (Muttra) is a city on the banks of the Jumna: it contains some fine temples, and is one of the most famous of Hindú shrines. Kálpi is a town on the banks of the Jumna. It is the resting-place of many saintly personages. Excellent sugarcandy is here manufactured. In the time of the Sharki princes, it was tributary to Delhi. When Kádir Khán affecting the airs of sovereignty proclaimed his independence, Sulṭán Hoshang marched from Málwah and having chastised him, reinstated him in the government. Sulṭán Muḥmúd of the Sharki dynasty, however, seized it in turn from Naṣír Khán the son of Kádir Khán.
Kanauj was in ancient times the capital of Hindustán.
Gwalior is a famous fortress and an elephant carved in stone at its gate fills the beholder with astonishment. It contains some stately edifices of its former rulers. Its climate is good. It has always been noted for its exquisite singers* and lovely women: here is an iron mine.
Alwar (Ulwar) produces glass and woollen carpets.
Peráth* possesses a copper mine, so profitable that from a man weight of ore, they obtain 35 sers of metal. A silver mine is also said to exist but it does not pay to work it.
Near the hill of Nárnol is a well at which the Hindús worship and when the tithi* of Amáwas falls on a Friday, it overflows at sunrise and water can be drawn without the aid of a rope.
At Singhánah, Udaipúr, and Kóṭpútli are mines of copper. In the town of Kánóri* are many cold and hot springs.
The Súbah contains thirteen Sarkárs, two hundred and three Parganahs (fiscal subdivisions). The measured lands are 2 krors, 78 lakhs, 62,189 bíghas, 18 biswas. The revenue is 54 krors, 62 lakhs, 50,304 dáms. (Rs. 13,656,257-9-6). Of this, 1 kror, 21 lakhs, 5,703½ dáms (Rs. 302,642-9.) are Suyúrghál. The provincial force consists of 50,681 cavalry, 577,570 Infantry, and 221 elephants.