2j8 A DESCRIPTION OF A CAVE, Set. 



by Mohummedans, and has been for fome time, as there 

 are the remains of an old mofque clofe before it ; and 

 within a raifed terrace, fuch as the Mohummedan de- 

 votees are ufed to con ft ru 61 for their religious retire- 

 ment. There are two inferiptions, one on each fide of 

 the interior part of the entrance ; impretfions of both 

 which my Moon/hee took off in the courfe of three days, 

 with much trouble, and fufficient accuracy, to enable 

 Mr. Wilkins to undcrftand and explain the whole of 

 one; though many Pandits, I was informed, who had 

 feen the original engraving, had attempted in vain to 

 decypher it. The other, which confifts of one line 

 only, is unfortunately of a different character, and re- 

 mains (till unintelligible. 



The following letter and remarks, which Mr. Wilkins 

 has favored me with, make it unneceffary for me to 

 fay any thing of the contents of the infeription. I can 

 only regret with him that the date is yet undifcovered ; 

 as what is now but a gratification of curioiity, might 

 then have been a valuable clue to the illuftration of 

 obfeure events in ancient hiftory. There are, however, 

 feveral other caves in the adjoining hills, which I like- 

 wife vifited, but had not time to take the inferiptions: 

 and from tliefe, I hope, a date will be difcovered. 



Were any other teftimony, befides the inferiptions, 

 -wanted, to lhew that thefe caves were religious temples, 

 the remains of three defaced images near another, which 

 I vifited, called Cur ram ChoJJar, would be fufficient 

 proof of it. A third, the name of which I could not 

 learn, has its entrance very curioufly wrought with ele- 

 phants, and other ornaments, of which I hope in a fhort 

 time to prefent a drawing to the Society. 



A LETTER 



