Indian Antiquary Vol 28

SR No.: 032520
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 356
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 40 MB

Page 55

FEBRUARY, 1899.) ARCHÆOLOGICAL TOUR WITH THE BUNER FIELD FORCE. 4)
But the heights of Mahaban have continued to be as inaccessible to Europeans as they were then. It has hence been impossible to obtain that detailed topographical evidence, without which it seems hopeless to expect a definite settlement of this much vexed question.
My interest in Mount Mahāban as the probable site of Aornos was considerably increased! by the important information which Major Leane bad recently obtained through native sonrees regarding extensive remains of an ancient fort situated at a point of Mahāban known a Shahkot.10 Can these ruins be referred to so early a date as Alexander's invasion, or do they at least indicate the likely position of an old fortification? Only an archeological survey of the mountain could give us the answer.
The ready submission of the Chamla clans induced the military authorities to abstain from any further advance to the east down the Chamla Valley. This made it clear to me that the hope I had cherished of visiting Mount Mahāban could not be realized on the present occasion. If the head of the Chamla Valley had been occupied for more than a few days, the despatch of a separate detachment to that distance might yet have possibly been arranged for in the interest of the topograpbical survey. For this Mount Mahāban owing to its height and position represents also a point of considerable importance. But the evacuation of Chamla an. the return of the whole of the force to British territory were already fixed for the following day. The hopes of Captain Robertson, the Field Survey Officer, were like my own dooined disappointment.
Considering the circumstances I could but feel grateful when General JEFFREYS very kindly agreed to let me utilize that last day for a rapid excursion down the Chamla Valley. In orde to enable me to extend it as far as possible he was pleased to grant me a mounted escort from the Xth Regiment Bengal Lancers. I had thus at least the satisfaction of approaching tlie north foot of Mahaban closer than I could have hoped otherwise.
Sūra. - Starting on the morning of the 19th January from the camp below Amböln 1 reached after a ride of about four miles the large village of Sura situated on the southern side of the valley. Some Hindu Khattris of this place wbom I examined knew of an old site about half a mile to the south of the village and at the foot of a low spur which descends here from the Sarpati Range. On proceeding to it I found a spring enclosed in a square basin of ancient masonry. This is visited as a Tirtha by the Hindus of the neighbourhood. Close to the west of the spring is a terrace-like mound about 20 feet high, the upper part of which appeared artificial. The top, which forms a small platean about 200 foet from west to east and 100 feet broad, is covered with remnants of old walls built of large but undressed steres. There are evident traces of a terrace about 15 feet broad which seems to have run round the mound at a lower level. The sides are covered with broken pottery. I was unable to ascertain from my Hindu guides any tradition regarding this site, or the special name of the locality. They too were well acquaintod with the sacred Tirthas on Mount Ilm and had more than once performed the pilgrimage.
Account of Shāhköt. -- I rode on throngh the level ground of the valley, which is here more than a mile broad and well-cultivated, past Nawagai and Timüli Dherei, until I reached the small village of Katakot. There, I had been told, resided a Malik particularly well-acquainteil with the Mahaban region. I found in him a very intelligent old man, ready to describe what he had seen on frequent visits to his Amazai friends, who are in the habit of grazing their cattie on the mountain. He knew well the rains of Shūhköt. He described them as situated on a rocky spur near the highest point of Mahāban and to the north-east of it. Both the village of Malka (once the seat of the Hindustani fanatics and burned after the Ambela Campaigui, 1863) and the Indus could be seen from the plateau occupied by the ruins. I was particularly glad to noto in the course of my examination that the Malik's description of the ruined fort agreed closely with the account given by Major Deane's informant. Tho substantial accuracy
1. See hie above quoted paper, J. R. A. S., 1896, p. 673.