SGO Dr. B. G. Bjbixgto.v's Account of Sculptures, &jc. at Malmmalaipur. 



circumstance that tlie authenticity of tiie legend must mainly depend on 

 the name of the place as connected with the history of Mahabali ; whereas 

 it will be shewn, when considering the inscriptions, that Mahabalipur is not 

 its ancient designation ; lastly, the omission of all mention of Mahabali in 

 the inscriptions, and of any reference to him in the sculptures. 



Although I thus reject the account of the Brahmans on tlie spot, I have 

 nothing certain to offer in its room. If a conjecture however may be 

 hazarded regarding the origin of this place, I should be inclined to believe 

 that its sequestered situation and the picturesque position of the rocks and 

 caves induced certain Brahmans to obtain royal grants for founding an 

 Agrahdram here, and that, in order to increase the sanctity of their temples, 

 they from time to time employed stone-masons (several fiimilies of whom 

 reside atMahamalaipur, and appear to have worked the quarries of granite 

 time immemorial) to ornament the rocks with the excavations and sculptures 

 which we now find. 



Plate 1, represents the sculptured rock, which has been described by 

 Mr. Goldingliam in his second paragraph, as occupying a surface about 

 ninety feet in extent and thirty in height, and covered with figures in bas- 

 relief. This subject lias been represented in Mrs. Graham's Journal by an 

 etching co))ied from an outline belonging to Col. Mackenzie, the inaccuracy 

 of which will be sufficiently ai)parent on comparing it with my drawing, 

 which was executed with much care and labour by my companion. 



During our visit to the Seven Pagodas, we caused the earth to be removed 

 from the lower part of tliis rock to its base, and tlius exposed to full view 

 some figures (see Fl. 2, No. i ), of wliich the heads alone were before visible. 

 Not far from the rock last mentioned is the spacious chamber called the 

 Crishn'a Man'd'apam, described by Mr. Goldingham in his third paragraph. 

 Of the scene sculptured on the rock facing the entrance, Mr. Hudleston 

 and myself made a joint drawing (see Fl. 2, No. 2) ; and as this rock 

 is going fast to decay, owing to a spring of water from above, which keeps 

 its surface constantly wet, it is not improbable that in the course of a few 

 years it will be entirely decomposed ; it is the more desirable therefore 

 that some record of its subject should be preserved. Several interesting 

 particulars regarding the ancient Hindus may be gathered from this pastoral 

 scene. The dress of the females resembles that now worn by the Nayris 

 and Tirtis of Malabar, who are uncovered above the waist. Tlie men, it 

 appears, wore turbans, and the women very large ear-rings, with bangles on 



