________________
274
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1875.
Note. As archæological interest and archæological eyes are more frequent now, and indications of localities may be of use, it may not be out of place to append an extract from Pharaoli's Gazetteer of Southern Indiy, Madras, 1855, pp. 338-9, respecting a spot in Udiar pålay am, the most easterly tâluka of Trichinapalli, which I was never able to visit myself. The tank referred to must be romarkable as rivalling in extent the great lake-like reservoirs once existing in Ceylon; and, with reference to the commont at the end, it is satisfactory to reflect that such high-handed Vandalism would probably not be countenanced by officials or Government to-dny. "It may also be mentioned that in the Udiar pålayam tâluka there is an embankment 16 miles long, running north and south, provided with several substantial sluices and of great strength, which in former times must have formed one of the largest reservoirs in India. This large tank or lake was filled partly by a channel from the Kolerun river, upwards of 60 miles in length, which enters it at its southern end, and partly by a smaller channel from the Vellar, which entered it on the north. Traces of both these channels still remain. The tank has been ruined and useless for very many years, and its bed is now clmost wholly overgrown with high and thick jungle. It is said traditionally that its ruin was wilful, and the act of an invading army. Near the southern extremity of the buind there is a village, now surrounded by junglo, called Ganga kunda purain. Immediately in its vicinity is a pagoda of very large size and costly workmanship, and close by, surrounded by jungle, are some remains of ancient buildings, now much resembling the mounds or heaps which indicate the site of ancient Babylon, but in which the village elders point out the
various parts of an extensive and magnificent palace. When this palace was in existence Gan. gå kundapuram was the wealthy and flourishing capital of a monarchy, and the great tank spread fertility over miles and miles of what is now trackless forest. It has often been projected to restore that magnificent work, but the scheme has remained in abeyance for want of engineer officers. At some future time it may be success. fully prosocuted, but till then this most fertile tract must remain a jungle, and the few inhabitants will still point with pride to the ancient bănd as a monument of the grand and gigantic enterprise of their ancient sovereigns, and compare it contemptuously with the undertakings of their present rulers. Speaking of the noble temple of Gangakundapuram, it must not be omitted that when the lower Kolerun ánikat was built, the structure was dismantled of a large part of the splendid granite sculptures which adorned it, and the enclosing wall was alınost wholly destroyed in order to obtain materials for the work. The poor people did their utmost to prevent this destruction and spoliation of a venerated edifice, by the servants of a government thnt could show no title to it; but of course without success; they were only punished for contempt. A promisc was made indeed, that a wall of brick should be built in place of the stone wall that was pulled down; but un. happily i must be recorded that this promise has never been redeemed."
The lower Kolorun anikat was built, in 1836, according to the scheme and advice of Colonel (now Sir A.) Cotton. I know nothing of the present condition of the temple and remains, but should imagine a great deal of bistorical and antiquarian value and interest would be discovered by
competent explorer.
SANSKRIT AND OLD CANARESE INSCRIPTIONS.
BY J. F. FLEET, DO. C.S.
(Continued front page 211.) No. III.
second plate, and the inner and part of the outer This is from a copper-plate belonging to Gais
side of the third plate. gavva Kom Kullappa Gugari of Belintti in the
This inscripcion mencions the following princes Hubballi Taluka of the Dharwad Distric The
of the Kalachuri family :original consists of three plates, cach 71"
Krishna. brond by 11" long, strung together by a mus.
Jogaina. sive ring, the seal of which bears a figure of the bull Basava or Nandi with the sun and
Paramardi. moon above it. The inscription, in the Kayastha
Vijana. characters and the Sanskrit language, and written across the breadth of the plates, covers che inner side of the first plate, both sides of the Soma. Sankama. Ahavamalla. Singhanadeva.
