434 TKMPLC OF ELKPHANTA. 



with fonr doors, supported by eight colossal figures ; it contains a 

 gigantic symbol of Maha Deo, and is cut out of the rock like the 

 rest of the cave. There is a similar chamber in a smaller and 

 more secret cavern, to which there is access from the corner next 

 to the Viraji ; the covering of the passage has fallen in, but, on 

 climbing over the rubbish, we found ourselves in a little area which 

 has no outlet, and is lighted from above, the whole thickness of 

 the hill being cut through. The cavern to which it belongs con- 

 tains nothing but the square chamber of Maha Deo, and a bath at 

 each end, one of which is decorated with nrh s< ulpture. 



When we had tired ourselves with examining the various won- 

 ders of :he cavern of Elephanta, I sat down to take a sketch of the 

 great compartments opposite to the entrance, and on our returu 

 to Bombay, comparing the drawing with those in Nieb.ihr, we 

 were satisfied that its resemblance to the original is the most cor- 

 rect. I am sorry to observe, that the pilhr-. and scu!ptu' - 'S of 

 the cave arc defaced in every part, by having the names of most 

 who visit them either carved or daubed with black chalk upon 

 them ; and the intemperate zeal of the Portuguese, who made war 

 upon the gods and temples, as well as upon the armies of India, 

 added to the havoc of time, has reduce*! this stupendous monu- 

 ment of idolatry to a .state of ruin. Fragments of stntues strew 

 the floor : columns, deprived of their bases, are suspended from 

 the parent roof, and others without capitals, and -ometimes split 

 in two, threaten to leave the massy hill that covers them without 

 support. 



The temple of Elephanta, and other equally wonderful caverns 

 in the neighbourhood, must have been the works of a people far 

 advanced in the works of civilized life, and possessed of v\aithand 

 nower ; but these were lodged in the hands of a crafty prfofthood, 

 who k*pt science, affluence, and honour, for their own fraternity, 

 and, possessed of better ideas, preached a miserable and degrad- 

 ing superstition to the multitude. It would ho curious to follow 

 out toe advancement and fall of the arts which produced such mo- 

 numents ; but not a trace of their history remains, and we are left 

 to seek it in the natural progress of a people subtle and ingenious, 

 but depressed by superstition, and the utter impossibility of rising 

 individually, by any virtues or any talents, to a higher rank in 

 iociety than that occupied by their forefathers. 



[Mr*. Grahame. 



