Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

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sanitorium. In this connection a letter from Capt. C. B. Young, Chief Engineer, Lower Provinces to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal in 1859 will be of some interest. The letter is quoted in extenso as it gives us a fairly good description of Parasnath hill a century before.
"From Captain C. B. Young, Officiating Chief Engineer, Lower Provinces, to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal,-(No. 4213, dated the 21st October, 1859).*
I beg to report for the information of his Honour the Chief Engineer's Letter No. 2202, Lieutenant - Governor that of 21st July, 1859.
I took advantage of the late Chief Engincer's Letter No. 2614, holidays to visit Parisnath
of 5th July, 1858. Chicf Engineer's Letter No 3069, (with reference to my previous of 20th July, 1858.
correspondence as per margin on that subject) to select a few good sites for Bungalows, and to fix upon an accessible road to the summit, in improving which a small sum of money might be judiciously expended.
2. Travelling to Raneegunge by Rail, I left that place at 6 P. M. on Saturday, the 1st instant, and arrived at Topchancee Bungalow at the foot of Parasnath Hill by bearer (Gari) Dak at 12 the next day. The distance is 63 milos and is of course by Horse Dak easily traversable in one night or say ten hours. The accompanying eye sketch. No. 474 of 1859-60 of the Hill and its neighbourhood will show how I then proceeded.
3. A further distance of 41 miles along the Grand Trunk Road brings the traveller to the village of Madhoopore, and from this village pathway leads to the Temple at the summit. It is a rather steep climb of about 7 miles, but can be easily accomplished on foot in 3 hours. The bearers, resident in the country and villages about the base of the mountain, are accustomed to go to the top, and will carry the traveller well in rough doolies made up for the purpose from small charpoys.
* The spellings of some dames remain unchanged. (P. C. R. C.)
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