Epigraphia Indica Vol 02

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 16

PREFACE.
xiii
71 inches broad at the top and 5 inches at the bottom. On the top is a rim 24 inches broad which fits into the hollow in the upper stone. On the upper surface of the stone, round the rim, is an inscription in one line, with letters whitened (No. ix, p. 329).
"The cavity was nearly filled with earth. In it were : 1 crystal phial of the shape of that found inside the second stone receptacle but slightly larger. It measures 24inches in diameter by 3 inches high. The two pieces were filled with earth and lay apart.
"Close to the phial, was found the actual relic casket with the relics inside. It is made of a large beryl measuring to inch in length, by 4 inch, by inch. A cylindrical hole, 4 inch in diameter, is drilled in its axis, in which are the relics,-three small pieces of bone. The hole is closed by a small white crystal stopper with hexagonal bulbous top. The necking is covered with gold leaf, and another sheet of the same material is fixed outside on the bottom. This unique casket had been originally placed inside the crystal phial, but had been displaced probably by shaking of the stone when it was laid. There was also in the cavity :-1 amethyst bead & inch long; another smaller; and l yellow coloured crystal bead ; 1 small hexagonal crystal drop of a slightly yellowish colour, and another flat one of white crystal; 1 bone bead ; 6 pearls, and 32 seed pearls, all pierced : 30 lotus flowers, a bent two-armed figure, and a quatre-foil in gold leaf; a piece of seemingly decomposed quartz having the appearance of salt but insoluble in water ; a few bits of copper, and an iron (?) cinder.
“The inscriptions are of importance, as, being found in connection with the relics, they must be contemporaneous with the foundation of the stúpa, and shew it to have been an early one."
This report by Mr. Rea is a model of accurate and careful detail such as is seldom met with in such papers, and throws all the light possible in the circumstances on the discovery of these early Bauddha inscriptions. The whole of the objects found have been delivered by Mr. Rea to the Central Museum at Madras.
The volume concludes with a paper supplementary to that given in the previous one by Professor H. Jacobi of Bonn University, completing his ingenious method of computing accurately Hindu dates found in ancient documents. The table of contents will show the list of other papers and the names of the respective contributors: to all of them my best thanks are tendered. To Dr. A. Führer, Ph.D., as assistant editor, I am deeply indebted for much valuable assistance in many ways, ever readily rendered.
JAS. BURGESS. 22, Seron PLACE, EDINBURGH:
August, 1894.