Indian Antiquary Vol 06

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 12

8
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1877.
hill one first comes to the Meḍi and the Meḍi | stored in other places, and there is still another
tank even higher still, at the foot of the stone steps which lead to the Mâtâ's temple.
With a very little trouble, and with bat moderate expense, this upper fortress might be transformed into a very comfortable sanitarium; all that is wanted is the repair of, and additions to, the beautiful domes now standing. Already one of the lower domes has fallen, and unless the upper domes are speedily repaired they will fall too. Dr. Arnott, in 1839, reported on the advantages of the spot; and during the past year Lieutenant Gibbs, R.E., of the Great Trigonometrical Survey, specially reported on the subject to the officer commanding at Baroda, in a very interesting report.
Talão. Here, they say, was a palace called the Medi; and here, as everywhere, were fortifications. Then further up comes the Buriâ Darwâzâ and the principal fortifications, very strong, and with a terrible ascent for troops in the face of a determined enemy. Next, one arrives at the plateau of the Mâchhi Haweli to the right of the gate, and as one issues forth on the ascent of the hill, just before reaching the Mâchhi Haweli, there is a curious sort of palace or summerhouse in three stories, called the Champâvati, or Champa Râpina Mahâl, which is said to have been the residence of a favourite queen. It was, however, I think, meant for the ladies of the zanánâ to sit in and witness a grand hunt, as it overlooks a deep valley, and is perfectly secure, while it commands an extensive view. Almost opposite to this is a spring of very good water, called the Pánch kuvd. From this point the hill is covered with lines of fortification defending every practicable spot. From hence one ascends, past the Mâchhi Haweli and a tank near it, to three large domes called the Makái kotár, or maize granaries,' and from here one sees before him the isolated spur with the old ruined palace of Jayasingh Deva. On this spur are the remains of the palace, and covered-in tanks of water, and on the extreme point is a small shrine of Bhadrâ-Kâli (or the favourable, propitious Kâli'). From this spur one can form an idea of the difficulty of taking the fortress, even supposing that troops could reach this point, as the whole of this plateau is commanded by the gate and batteries by the Pátiá pul; and as there is only one narrow path whereby to ascend, advance would be almost impossible. Even supposing this gate won and the Pátiá pul crossed, and another gate close to the main gateway forced, the troops would have to run along a narrow path for about a hundred yards exposed to the full fire of the garrison, to find themselves in front of a strong double gateway. On entering these two gates one faces the great rock on which Kâlkâ sits in state; and on turning to the right, one arrives, after a walk of a few hundred yards, at the domes or kotárs, which overlook a tremendous precipice. Between these domes and this gate, following the fortifications, come tanks of cut stone, and it is evident that water was also
Were the fortifications repaired the cost would of course be greater, but it would be a healthy spot, and one of the strongest fortresses in India. The only disadvantage that the place possesses as a sanitarium is that the wind is so violent in the hot weather that no buildings other than domes could stand it unless very strongly constructed. Colonel Wallace, when Resident of Baroda, once built a small bungalow on the hill, but it has long since had its roof blown away into the Bâriâ jungles, and even the walls are considerably out of the perpendicular; but if Government were to build verandahs to the domes, and one or two outhouses, and improve the water supply, the residents of Baroda would doubtless gladly pay a small rent for the occupation of the domes during the hot season.
In the Chohân annals Pâwagadh occupied a prominent place. Their principal hero is, of course, Prithiraja of Delhi, then Hamiradeva of Ranthambhor, then Pâtâi Rawal of Páwâgadh, Kanad Dev a of Songadh Jhâlor, and Achaldâs of Gâgrâwn. The more famous of these will be found mentioned in the verses quoted at p. 99, vol. III. of the Indian Antiquary. It will be observed that of the five Rajput heroes therein praised three were Chohâns, viz. Hamiradeva of Ranthambhor, Pâtal (poetical license for Pátâi, the name by which Rawal Jayasingh of Pawagadh is usually known), and Kånad Deva, the Songadha Chohân of Jhâlor. Of the remaining two, Chund Rao is poetical license for Râ o Chonda, the Râthod ancestor of the present Chief of Jodhpur, and
There were formerly verandahs, now fallen down.