Indian Antiquary Vol 03

SR No.: 032495
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(MAY, 1874.
standing positions, such as are described in ar bases of statues; some as large as 3 feet diameter: earlier part of this report. A few were found others not more than 1 foot, carved on the upper perfect or nearly so, and many fragments of broken surface. ones. All the largest were broken, whilst the 6. Bas-reliefs of many kinds depicting worship best-preserved were some of the smallest.
of the wheel, of the tree, and of Buddha, and numer2. Single figures of kings. These were found ous other groups, whose meaning I could not make both in a sitting and standing attitude also. The out. These bas-reliefs varied from 2 feet by 1 foot differences between them and those of Buddha are to 6 by 8 inches. The greater number were slabs, --(a.) These figures have moustaches (no beards); about 6 inches to 8 inches high, above 18 inches Buddba has no hair at all on the face. (6.) These long. In some of the smaller ones the sculpture figures are generally nude to the waist; Buddha was very fine and delicate. is always draped from the shoulders to below the Throughout all the sculptures found there was knee. (e.) These figures have always sandals on a delicacy of feature quite unknown in the ordinary the feet; Buddha is always barefooted. (a.) These sculpture of the country, whether Hindu or figures have usually some jewellery on the right Musalmau. The faces are of a Grocian character arm, round the neck and on the head-the latter
| in many cases. These sculptures were carved often in the form of a scallop shell with jewel in in most cases of the shaly stone or slate of which centre; Buddha never wears any ornament at all. the hill is formed; but in a few instances of the Of these figures a good number were found; some best sculptures the stone was a finer-grained, and in good preservation, the larger number consider- bluer in colour, than any found in the hill. ably damaged; none as large as life-size were These sculptures were found in greater or less found of these.
quantity in all the temples, and were not, with 3. Single figures of a man with wings, usually scarcely an exception, met with in the dwelling. with beard and moustaches, nude to the waist, con houses. In the polygonal temple were found many siderable muscular development in chest and arms, fragments of large statues of Buddha, but few sitting with one leg flat on the ground, the other good or perfect specimens of sculptures. On most raised with the foot on the ground. About 12 of of these, traces of gold leaf were met with, showing these were found, most of them about 8' high; a that they originally were gilt in whole or part. A few of a larger size, 18' high, were found. In some few silver and copper coins were turned up. Some of these figures the wings were wanting, but iron nails were met with in the course of exploraprobably the latter had been broken off in these tion, and a few copper objects, viz., & ring about cases.
1}' diameter, and a pin about 6 long with a shell4. Some very good specimens of capitals, vary. shaped head. Two silver articles, apparently the ing in size from 2 feet by 9 inches to 1 foot by perforated tops of perfume-boxes, and one or two 5. inches, Fig. 4, found in temple No. 3.
ivory beads about half an inch in diameter, con5. Some circular carved stones, apparently the clude the list.
ASIATIC SOCIETIES. The Asiatic Society of Bengal. | E. V. Westmacott, Esq., and Dr. J. Wise. This The 186th number of the Journal contains two valuable Essay, extending over 102 pages of the papers: the first, by T. W. H. Tolbort, B.C.S., on Journal, will long be an authority on the subject. Authorities for the History of the Portuguese in Additions and corrections will doubtless be made India, is confined to "the pericd betwoen 1498, to the information it contains, but it will form an when Vasco da Gama discovered India, and 1663, admirable basis for guiding future research. It when the capture of Cochin by the Dutch finally will not bear abridgment, but we may presenta broke the power of the Portuguese, and establish- few extracts :ed the supremacy of others in the East." The "The importance of mural and medallic evisecond, by Prof. Blochmann, is Contributions to the dence for Bengal History," says Prof. Blochmann, Geography and History of Bengal (Muhammadan "arises from the paucity and meagreness of written Period). Part I., Geographical.- Part II., Histor- sources. Whilst for the history of the Dibli ical, based on Inscriptions received from Gen. 4. Empire we possess general and special histories, Cunningham, O.SI., Dr. J. Wise, E. V. West- often the work of contemporaneous writers, we macott, Esq., W. L. Heeley, Esq., W. M. Bourke, have only secondary sources and incidental reEsq., &c., and on unpublished coins, with notes by marks for the early Muhammadan period of Ben
• On many of the walls were found the remains of plaster casts depicting various scenes. The most commen were sitting figures of Buddha.