1873.] Major Gill — On Hemadpauti Temples in W. Berar. 71 



nearly a mile to secure only a scanty supply of water. The mere ruin of a 



second lies to the west, and a third, much 



Vide photographs, Nos. 43,44, sma Jl er but perfect to the north-west, on 



the outskirts of the village. 



Sa'tga'm. 



At Satgam, 21 miles west of Dhotra, there are five Hemadpauti temples. 



The principal one is just outside the west 



Vide photographs Nos 2, 3 & 4, wall of the village, and almost adjoining it. 

 1st Series ; and 43, 49, 2nd Series. Qn thfl norfch gide aye t}jg remains of a 



Vide photograph No. 4G. small but beautiful temple which appears 



to have been originally in the same enclo- 

 sure. The other three are closely within the village walls ; the largest of 

 them is merely an oblong apartment containing the Linga and Yoni and an 



Vide photograph, No. 47. image of Granesh. There has been a verandah 

 in front supported by four columns ; and the entrance has been elaborately 

 sculptured. In the centre of this verandah is a large sculpture of NandL 

 The next in size consists of four columns supporting the architraves, above 

 which is the common simple roof. But the backs of the posterior pair of 

 columns being only rough hewn, this may have only been the portico of 

 another temple. 



The fifth is only a small cell distinguishable as Hemadpauti only by 

 the pilasters on each side of the entrance. 



Notes. 



These temples are supposed by the natives to have been raised by de- 

 mons in a single night, but from the title they generally bear they are 

 ascribed to Hemad Kant or Hemadi Paut, who was prime minister to Ram 

 Chandra Deva or Ram Deva Yado, the last of the Devagiri rajahs, of whom 



two copper-plate grants, dated respectively 

 Journal, Asiatic Royal Society, m % d 12Q1 have been b . 



Vol. V., pages 178 and 188. ' * 



listed by Mr. Watham. He was also minis- 

 ter in the reign of Madhao, the predecessor of Ram Deva and in possession of 

 all the regal powers. Mr. Walter Elliot dates the ascensions of Madhao in 

 A. D. 1261, of Ram Chandra in A. D. 1272, and of Shunkur Deva in a. d. 

 1311. 



All these temples, as already remarked, are erected without any cement 

 . of any kind. The different pieces are fitted together with the greatest accu- 

 racy and partially secured by tenons and mortices left on and cut into the 

 blocks. They have been built with distinct inner and outer facings much 

 like modern Public Works Department works, only the stones were not 

 splayed back ; and so the work was more likely to be durable. The interior 

 of the wall was then filled up with rubbish, — the perfection of the beds of 

 the stones is evidenced by the length of time they have stood. 



