THE JAINS. 273 



and neglected : and particularly, the several heads 

 of snakes, which as a group shaded it, were muti- 

 lated. I could obtain no further information re- 

 specting it. 



In consequence of notices received at Ongole, I 

 determined to call at Amresvaram to see the antiqui- 

 ties lately discovered there, as the place is near the 

 banks of the CrisJma, and we could reach the place 

 whither our tents were to be sent early in the day. 

 I therefore, dispatched my interpreter Borta, ac- 

 companied by some Brakmens and two Sepahis, in the 

 evening to Amresvaram, with directions to make 

 some previous inquiries into the history of the place : 

 and to conciliate the inhabitants; particularly the 

 Brdhmens, who are apt to be alarmed on these oc- 

 casions. 



In the morning before day, we left Ihrampattan 

 by moon-light, and passed along the north bunk of 

 the Cr^ishna. We observed, a it^^^ utiles off, a dry 

 but deep cdlava, or canal, leading off from the river, 

 probably intended for the purpose of cultivation. At 

 day-light, we were in the sandy bed of the river, 

 which seems to be nearly two miles wide, including 

 the islands; and contains no water at present. We 

 ascended the shallow bank to Amrhvaram. The 

 temples appear to be new, and are said to have been 

 recently built by the Chintapelli Raja, who has fixed 

 his chief residence here, since Lacshmpuram was 

 occupied by our troops. A high mud square wall 

 encloses the temples and his houses ; and the rest of 

 the place is laid in regular streets, at right angles, 

 in the same manner with his other places oi Lacsluni- 

 puram^ &c. A street, going south from a ga.te of the 

 temple, seems to be 200 feet wide ; and an open 

 choultrif stands in the intersection of four principal 

 streets. I found Boria ready to receive me, attended 

 by some Brdhmens ; who said, that the people here 



Vol. IX. T 



