I48 AN ACCOUNT OF THE SCULPTURES 



found of a proper fize for that purpofe. The top is 

 arched, and the ft) le of architecture according to which 

 it is formed, different from any now ufedin thofe parts. 

 A little further on there appears upon a huge furface 

 of ftone, that juts out a little from the fide of the hill, a 

 numerous group of human figures in bafs-relief, con- 

 fiderably larger than life, reprefenting themoft remark- 

 able perfons whofe actions are celebrated in the Mahdb- 

 harit, each of them in an attitude, or with weapons, or 

 other inugnia,expreffi ve of his character,, or of fome one 

 of his moft famous exploits. All tbefe figures are, doubt- 

 lefs, much lefs diftinct than they were at firft; for, upon 

 comparing thefe and the reft of the fculptures that are 

 expofed to the-fea air. with others at the fame place, 

 whofe fituation has afforded them protection from that 

 element, the difference is ftriking ; the former being 

 every where much defaced, while the others are frefb as 

 recently finifhed. This defacement is no where more 

 oblervable than in the piece of fculpture which occurs 

 next in the order of defcription. This is an excavation 

 in another part of the eaft fide of the great rock, which 

 appears to have been made on the fame plan, and for 

 the fame purpofe, that Chowkries are ufually built in 

 that country, that is to fay, for the accommodation of 

 travellers. The rock is hollowed out to the fize of a 

 fpacious room, and two or three rows of pillars aTeleft, 

 as a leeming fupport to the mountainous mafs of front 

 which forms the roof. Of what pattern thefe pillars 

 have originally been, it is not eafy now to conjecture; 

 for the air of the fea has greatly corroded them, as well 

 as all the other parts of the cave. And this cireumftance 

 renders it difficult to difcover, at firft fight, that there is 

 a fcene of fculpture on the fide fronting the entrance. 

 The natives, however, point it out* and the fubjeft of 

 it is manifeftly that of Krijhtn attending the herds of 

 Nwnd Ghofe, the Admetus of the Hindoos j from which 

 circumftance Krijhtn is alfo called Goupaul, or the 

 cowherd, as Apollo was entitled N&mms. 



The 



