SHEKPURA.
Shekpura has few ancient remains, besides an old tank and a dargah on its bank. The dargah avowedly stands on the site of an old temple to Kâli, and the tank is still known as Kâli Matokhar’s Tâl. The daigah contains the tomb of a saint, of whom the following legend is related:—
At Matokhar lived a Muhammadan Aulia, named Matokhar Khân; he founded the place, and hence its name. Some say it was founded by the uncle of Kunwar Bijaya Mall on the mother’s side. Be this at it may, Matokar Khân had a son. Near the dargah was a garden, which was kept in order by a pretty young malin, who used daily to present the saint a garland of flowers. One day she went into the house when it was quite empty, and seeing a little rag hanging, from which issued a delicious perfume, she took it and smelt it. Shortly afterwards, the pretty malin was in an interesting condition, and the saint's suspicion fell on the son, whom he ordered to be flayed alive. The son, hearing the order, desired that no violence should be used, as he would give over his own skin; and accordingly he soon went with his skin in his hands to his father; the father was astonished, an explanation followed, and it was finally found that so great was the young man’s sanctity and power, that the interesting state of the pretty malin was due entirely to her having in ignorance touched and smelt an unmentionable garment of the young man which he had one day left in the room where the malin used to bring her flowers! Of course, after this, the young man's fame spread far and wide and eclipsed his father's, and holy men from distant countries came to see him.
SIKANDRA.
Sikandra is a place of much importance, about 24 miles south of Shekpura; it is said to possess a dargah, but I have not seen the place.
PREMAYA.
Premaya is a place noticed by Buchanan; it is said to be five kos north of Shekpura, and must be near the old course of the Ganges. I am sorry I was unable to visit this place.
LAKHISARAI, RÁGHOGARH AND BALGUDAR.
The group of villages, Rajjhâna, Rághogarh, Lakhisarai, Jaynagar, Birdaban, Hasanpur, and Nongarh, have already
