Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 92

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCH, 1873.
PROGRESS OF ORIENTAL RESEARCH IN 1870-71.
[From the Annual Report of the Royal Asiatic Society, June 1872.] In their-Report to the Society read on the 30th of time to be exbibited in the International Exhibition May 1870, the Council expressed some disap- of that year. As, however, no description and no pointment at the result of the expeditions sent lists accompanied them, there existed no means of at the expense of the Government of India to ascertaining from what temples they were taken, procure representations of objects of antiquarian nor what parts of any temples they represented. interest in Orises and at Bordbay. They are All that could therefore be done was to build them now, however, happy to report that a second up into what was called a trophy, mixed up with expedition, under the sole control of Mr. H. H. Mr. Terry's casts from Bombay, and some from Locke, the Principal of the Government School Dr. Hunter at Madras. When any descriptive lists of Art in Calcutta, was sent to Orissa in the spring or any further information reaches us with regard of the present year, and has been attended with to these casts, we may be able to form an estimate complete success. Mr. Locke has inade and safely of their value ; at present the materials do not exist brought back to Calcutta casts of all the principal in this country for any such appreciation. In like sculptures in the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, manner a set of drawings of details of architectural and photographs from these casts, made in January ornaments made by the pupils of the Schcol of Art last, have already reached this country, and exhibit were sent home and exhibited in 1871 ; but as only A series of sculptures as full of interest as any that the name of the pupil who made it was inscribed have yet been brought to this country or are known on each drawing, we are still in ignorance of what to exist in India.
these drawings are intended to represent. In general character, some of these sculptures One set of the photographs made by the party very much resemble those from the gateways of the who were sent down in 1868-9 reached this country Sanchi Tope, and may be as old, if not older. The about six weeks ago, and are in private hands. principal subject, lithographed by Prinsep in 1838 So far as can be ascertained, they are the only from a drawing by Kittoe,o is now found to be copies which have yet reached this country; but, as repeated twice over. The bas-relief of it in the Rajonly the names of the temples are attached to them, Rani Cave is ruder than the Sanchi sculptures, and though they are very admirable as photographs, the the first impression consequently is that it may be information they convey is limited to those who more ancient. That in Ganesa Cave-the one were previously acquainted with the objects they drawn by Kittoe-bears much more resemblance to represent. Greek art. A curious question thus arises, whether
Mr. Terry's casts from Bombay, as mentioned we are to consider the latter as the direct production above, arrived simultaneously with those from Benof Yavana or Baktrian artists, which afterwards gal, just in time for exhibition in June 1871. As degenerated into the ruder art of the Raj Rani they were accompanied by plans and sections of the sculptures, or whether the ruder were afterwards
building from which they were taken, as well as the improved into the more perfect forms under foreign photographs, there was no difficulty in understanding influence. At present the materials do not seen to their position or appreciating their value. The exist for answering these questions, though they result of this expedition does not, however, we are are of extreme interest to the history of ancient sorry to observe, seem to have encouraged the GoIndian art, and as bearing on the influence, more or
vernment of Bombay to make any further attempts less direct, which foreigners exerted on its first in that direction, and no further expenditure seems formation.
to have been made by them for archæological It is also understood that Mr. Locke's party has
purposes. brought away fresh impressions of the celebrated
Meanwhile, however, we are happy to be able to " Aira" inscription in the so-called Hasti cave, first
report that Mr. James Burgess continues succesefulnoticed by Stirling, and afterwards so successfully
ly his archæological labours. In addition to the deciphered by Prinsep. As it seems to be the oldest
splendid work on Pálitânå, noticed in our report of of the inscriptions in the Låt character, if any ad
1870, he has since published a similar work on the ditional information can be obtained regarding its
Temples of Somnath, Girnår, and Junagarh, illustratcontents, it will be a most interesting addition to ed by 41 photographs by Sykes, and accompanied our scanty stores of authentic documents for the by descriptive letter-press; and another work, of elucidation of early Indian History.
almost equal interest, on the Cave Temples of In the spring of the year 1871, a set of the casts Elephanta, with elaborate descriptive texts and obtained by the party sent down to Orissa in 1868-9 photographs of all the principal sculptures. He reached this country, and, owing to the delay of & has also visited and prooured photographs of the month in opening the Indian Annexe, they were in Caves of N&sik, Karla, Bhâjâ, and Beds&; the last • J. 4. 8. B., vol. VII, part 2, pt. xliv.
+ J.A. 8.B., vol. VI. 1080 e segg.