Indian Antiquary Vol 07

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 31

JANUARY, 1878.]
ARCHÆOLOGICAL NOTES.
had been governed by a Raja with two tongues [do-jibh], which Col. Dalton explained to signify that the potentate to which it alludes must have been a Någ, or one of the serpent race. These and similar tales point to a time when Dasyus, Rakshasas, Paisachis,--monkeys, as they are contemptuously designated, --were the ruling occupants of the land, every trace of whom it is the business of the archæologist to collect and preserve.
One of the most useful functions of the Indian Antiquary is the preservation of casual notices of objects of interest which may serve to stimulate a more complete examination of them by those who have time and opportunity for the task. Curious and often extensive remains are found in many parts of India, an exact topographical description of which would help greatly to the identification of names and places still a puzzle to the archæologist and geographer.
The late Dr. John Wilson, when President of the Bombay Branch Royal Asiatic Society, read a memoir on the Cave Temples and other ancient remains of Western India, in 1850, in which he dwelt strongly on the importance of investigations of this description. Among other desiderata he called special attention to the inspection of the sites of ancient towns in all parts of the country, and to the vigorous prosecution of research connected with their roing, and relics, their wells and tanks, and even of their foundations."
I can bear witness to the value of these suggestions from my own experience. Some years ago I published an inscription on copper, relating to the little-known dynasty of the Palla vas, whose capital was stated to be Vengipû ram, the name and site of which were till then unknown. After much inquiry, I pitched on a place in the Masulipatam district,
which, accepted as correct by General Cunningham, 10 has been considered open to question elsewhere. Subsequently I had an opportunity of examining the place in person, and satisfied myself that my first surmise was right. I found a parallelogram of considerable extent enclosed by lofty mounds within which were many ruins and the débris of ancient temples, &c. I regretted not being able to procure a regular plan and survey, but time and other avocations did not permit.
South of this spot on the banks of the Krishna is Dharanikot a, close to the recent town of Amravati. It is probably the ancient capital of the Andhra kings. The remains are extensive, and a survey and topographical description of them is greatly to be desired.
In Ganjam a remarkable site is found in the Pů bekonda h Tâlukâ near the rock inscribed with another of Asoka's celebrated edicts. It is called Jogadh. The grass-grown walls were of great height, and coins of a peculiar character are found in and around it. It would well repay careful examination.
I could name many other spots of historical interest of which little more is known than the name. Such are the old Chola capital of Gangondaram, in South Arkat; Talaka da, a seat of the Cheras in Maisnr, now half buried in the sand ; Ratnapur, in the Raipur division of the Central Provinces, where are extensive ruins; Korkei, an early Pandya city, where Bishop Caldwell has lately been making excavations; &c. &c., of all of which, and of many more that could be named, accurate plans illustrated by sketches and descriptive details would be very valuable. But my object now is only to draw the attention of readers of the Antiquary to objects, within the reach of many of them, possessing surpassing interest.
ARCHÆOLOGICAL NOTES. BY M. J. WALHOUSE, LATE M.C.S.
(Continued from vol. VI. page 216.)
No. XVI.-Chivalry in Lower India. Europeans are apt to imagine that few races and devotion are alien to their genius. Yet the are more devoid of the spirit of knight-errantry knightly and noble customs and demeanour and chivalrous daring and courtesy than the of the Rajputs, so picturesquely related by Hindus, and that the feudal ideas of allegiance Colonel Tod, may be ranked with anything told
Proc. As. Soc. Beng. 1869, pp. 171-2. • Jour. B. Br. R. As. Soc. vol. III. pt. ii. pp. 36-107.
Ibid. p. 101. Mad. Jour. Lit. &Sc. vol. XI. p. 804.
. Ind. Ant. vol. II. p. 156, vol. V. p. 50. 10 Geography of India, p. 516. 11 Ind. Ant. vol. VI. p. 80.-ED.