Never was I more surprised than upon entering the lofty iron gates guarded by a sowar in neat white uniform.

It seemed incredible that such fertility and abundance could exist in this dry, arid land.

The cool fragrant gardens, with their shady grass walks, forest trees, and palms, springing up, as it were, out of the scorched, stony desert, reminded one of a bunch of sweet-smelling flowers in a fever ward, and the scent of rose, jasmine, and narcissus was apparent quite half a mile away.

In the centre of the garden is a tamarind tree of enormous girth.

It takes twelve men with joined hands to surround it.