214 Major Tod, on an Inscription at Madhucarghar. 



the extent of sway of the various Prdmdra branches in the north-west re- 

 gions of Marit-st'hali* is very correct. It contains the names of the chiefs 

 who founded and ruled over its nine divisions,! or places of strength. 



The descendants of some among them still occupy the same places : as the 

 Soda prince of D/uit in the Desert, of which Amaracut'a is the capital. He 

 has the title of Rdnci. It was his ancestor who was killed by JelAluddin, 

 in his flight into India from the Great Jangiz. 



Arbuda or A'bu is, however, the cradle where the Prdmdra was at least 

 regenerated. On this sacred mount I have seen the statues of the first and 

 of the last of its independent princes. 



That of the first. A' rpdl {A' dipdla), shooting at Bhainsdsur ( Mahishdsura), 

 is a marble statue nearly four feet in height, standing on the edge of the 

 Manddcana cund or fountain. He has just sliot his arrow, which has pierced 

 tiiree of those monsters, who are feigned to have drained the fountain of 

 its waters. These are modern representations of the fabulous monsters, 

 (the old having fallen down), and are poorly executed in black slate stone ; 

 but tlie figure of A' rpdl % is far superior to any tiling they could execute in 

 these days. A few indistinct words were engraven on the pedestal ; but no 

 date. There cannot be a doubt, however, of its high antiquity. It was too 

 sacred a relict to think of removing it from the spot whence it derived its 

 chief value. 



That of the last of the Pi-dmdras, not 700 years old, represents Dha- 

 iiABARSA, the last independent prince of A'bu, supplicating the offended 

 Patdleswara § to pardon his sacrilege, and restore his kingdom, which fell 

 to KuTEBU D DIN .He was the last of his line, called Daraparissa by Ferishta : 



* Deserts: literally Region of Death. J. T. 



Maru desert, anA sl'hali dry land. Muru is derived from mrt to die : a region where one 

 dies H.T.C. 



t 1 Arbuda or Aki. 6 Piigal (N. W. of Bikaner.) 



2 Parhar'm the desert. 7 Khainilu (in Guzzarat.) 



3 JaUndra or Jalore. 8 Dhdr and Avanti. 



4 Dhiit or Amaracut'a. 9 Lodarwa (ancient capital before Jesalm^r was 



5 Mandduiar (near Jodhpur.) built.) 



X A'r-pdl or A'di-pdla, i. e. the first Piila ; which may be further translated the first fostered, 

 or first born. 



J The Lord of the infernal regions. 



