KASHMIR. 281 



about 11 feet square, and one of the most perfect 

 specimens of this style of architecture to be seen in 

 any part of the country." I examined this cave 

 rather hurriedly, and took no notes concerning it, so 

 I cannot speak with absolute certainty ; but my recol- 

 lection of this Hindu temple and perfect specimen 

 of architecture is, that it was a somewhat ordinary 

 but large Limjam, an emblem which need not be 

 explained to polite readers. 



On the sides of the bridle-path from these caves to 

 the table-land above, successive lake -beaches were 

 distinctly visible. Geology leaves no doubt as to the 

 truth of the old tradition that the great valley of 

 Kashmir was once a magnificent lake, which has now 

 subsided, leaving only remnants of itself here and 

 there. The name of this ancient lake was Sahtisar, 

 and the mountains surrounding it were thickly 

 peopled. The tradition goes on to say that the lake 

 became the abode of a terrible monster called Yaldeo, 

 who, after devouring all the fish there were in the 

 great water, proceeded to appease his hunger by 

 devouring the inhabitants of the surrounding hills, 

 who, in consequence, had to fly into the higher 

 mountains above. At this stage the traditional Eishi, 

 or holy man, makes his appearance on the field : his 

 name was Kashaf, and his great sanctity had given 

 him the power of working miracles. This holy man 

 proceeded to the north-west end of the lake, where 

 the Jhelam now issues from the valley at Baramula, 



