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SEPTEMBER, 1873.]
ABU INSCRIPTIONS.
255
From this we ascend to the highest point of Achalgarh, whence there is a magnificent view. Mrs. Blair's sketch in Tod's work is entirely wrong; indeed it is difficult to conceive how she could have so distorted it. On the summit may be seen the tank where the gods are said to bathe at night, the remains of an old granary, and a curious rock-cave decorated with frescoes of every imaginable design.
I have now given a rapid sketch of those temples I have myself seen on and around Abu; but I believe I have by no means seen all that exist, and I know there are two or three of great size and age, containing both inscriptions and images.
worthy of note. On the edge of the Agni Kund, now in atter ruin, stands the marble statue of the Pramirs with his bow, which Tod speaks of in such ruptures. Between it and the kand are three large stone buffaloes-life-size, and fairly executed. I conld not find the inscription on the plinth of the Pramâra figure spoken of by Tod, but there are some almost effaced letters ander the bow. Tod has described the shrine at Achaleśvars so fully that I need not attempt doing so again. There are many bearded figures with inscriptions on them in different places about the buildings. Here is one from a marble slab 18 inches by 10, on which is carved a bearded figure with sword and shield :
से १३९१ वर्षे आषाढ सुदि १० सोमे राउत पलसुतराउतगजणा
प्रमार• मेरकरापित Under the porch.of the principal sbrine may be observed seven large marble statues, not varying much in generalappearanceexcept perhaps in the length of the beard. In one corner of the court is a three-headed Brahms with a beard. There are some curious pillars outside the chief entrance, of a peculiar design and with long inscriptions. The bull and trident are just as Tod describes, them. There is 230 inscription in the temple but on the right-hand side of the door to the chief shrine is a long, thongh rather mutilated one; and another in the passage leading down to the well is in good preservation.
Aehalgarh is approached through two embattled gates, and must at one time have been & very large and important fortress. The Becond of these, called the Champa Gate, leads to the little village on the ascent of the hill, as well as to the temples and summit of the peak.t The position is charming. There is a small lake at the foot of the steps leading up to the gate; the Jains temple of Parávanátha stands to the left of the path, and contains two large idols composed of the five metals. There is little to attract attention in the temple itself, except perhaps the tesselated pavement--the best in any of the Abu temples. I could find no inscription. I
NOTE BY THE EDITOR. The remains on Abu well deserve careful delineation such as a hurried visit allows no time to attempt. The inscriptions would probably reward a careful collection and translation, but they are BO scattered, and in many cases Bo time-worn that it would take some weeks to prepare careful copies. Prof. H. H. Wilson, in the Asiatic Researches (vol. XVI. pp. 284-330), has translated a portion of them and analysed many others, the texts of the more important of which ought also to be included in any future collection. It is remarkable that while so many English officers have frequented the hill, there is no paper on any of the many interesting subjects it suggests. The art of its temples, its history, its legends and superstitions, its birds, reptiles, and insects, and its botany :- each of these would supply material for pleasant study and for an interesting volume.
Mr. Eaglesome of the Abu Lawrence School, and his assistant, Mr. Armstrong, have kindly copied for me a large number of the inscriptions. Some of these I have engrossed in the preceding article, and others have been referred to in the notes. I add the following, from Gaumukh, printed line for line, from the rubbings, with the contents chiefly from Prof. H. H. Wilson's paper:
On & pillar to the left of the large brass bearded figure in front of the temple is en
graved
ए| संवत १५५२ वर्षे ॥ भासाट व दिर४ सोमाराजि
Then rond "Jagana Rade jogt Jota Baule joki"names to be found on many figures on and around the hill. On one at Gotamji, on the edge of water-trough, there is
date given after the name, which appear to be " Sam vat 1707. There are many other inscriptions about the Managni Kund.Ed.
+ The peak is about 800 feet above the Jains temple at Achalekars, and 4,688 feet above the sen-level.-ED.
It was built by Sasa and Burtan, two brothers, from ML dhavgadh in MAIYA, in the service of the Bank of Udaypur, Barn. 1560, but it has been restored, or rebuilt, since. On corner is rudely cut inscription dated Bar. 1778.- D.
