1871. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 255 
later date, and on the same hill lower down, on the eastern side, 
is another of the same style facing the Sarasvatti tank. 
Vos. 29 and 30.—The modern town of Gya, or more properly 
Sahibanj, contains few structures of any antiquity. The largest 
temple is a double-spired one, built by a wealthy Kaist, Fath 
Bahadur. Near this is a fine sculptured doorway. 
Wo. 31.—Over one of the gateways of the town there is a fine 
arch. This was the limit of the city as originally enclosed, It 
has, however, extended very considerably to the north since then. 
Buddh Gya—This place, so celebrated in the annals of the 
Buddhist world, is situated six miles to the south of Gya. 
Wo. 32.—The great temple faces the east, and is 50 feet square 
at the base, and is 160 feet high. Colonel Cunningham gives the 
date of its erection by Amara Deva about 500, A. D. It is remark- 
able as being the finest brick structure still standing in India. 
No. 33.—To the west of the temple itself is the famous Bodhi 
Drum, or tree of knowledge, famous throughout the Buddhist 
world as the tree under which Sakya Singha sat for six years, and 
is still visited by pilgrims from Burmah, Ceylon, &c. It is 
said to have been rooted out by a Brahmanist king, Sasanka, and 
renewed by his contemporary the Buddhist Purna Varmma. 
Only one large branch is now alive and from all appearances it will 
not last much longer. Excavations made some years ago under the 
auspices of the Asiatic Society showed that the whole temple was 
surrounded by a Buddhist railing similar to the one at Sanchi. 
This shows conclusively that the present temple occupies the exact 
site of the original one, as these railings bear inscriptions in the an- 
cient Pali ef the time of Asoka. 
Wo, 34.—The front of the temple which faces the east is in very 
bad repair, and large masses come down every rainy season. In 
a few years the aspect of this side will be entirely changed. The 
porch in front has now nearly disappeared; only portions of the 
arch of its roof adhere to the said walls. The peculiarity of this 
portion is the Lehra or horizontal arch to the third story, and the 
radiating arches on the second story. 
No. 35.—In front of the building there is a small arched doorway 
leading into the courtyard, in which is ihe Buddha Pad, or impres- 
