1875.] C. J. O'Donnell — On Mahasthan near Bagura {Bogra). 141 



8. Note on Mahasthan near Bagura (Bogra), Eastern Bengal. — By 



C. J. O'DONNELL, C. S. 



(Abstract.) 



The author has collected in this paper the legends which he heard at 

 Mahasthan, a place famous in the earliest Hindu traditions of Eastern In- 

 dia, and also of interest in later times as a Muhammadan shrine of great 

 sanctity. It lies seven miles north of Bagura, and consists of a great 

 mound of earth intermixed with old bricks. Branching out from it, north 

 and west, are two great ramparts, which are continued round to form a 

 quadrangular enclosure. The enclosure is conspicuously marked on Sheet 

 119 of the Indian Atlas.* All round it are shrines, holy wells, and embank- 

 ments connected with the name of Bhim, one of the Pandava brothers. The 

 principal Muhammadan monument is the shrine of Hazrat Shah Auliya. 



The paper will be printed in No. II of Part I of the Journal. 



9. Contributions to the History and Geography of Bengal. No. III. 



By H. Blochmanis', M. A., Calcutta Madrasah. 

 (Abstract.) 



This short paper contains readings of two inscriptions discovered by 

 Mr. E. V. "Westmacott, C. S., in Dinajpur and Sherpur Murchah, and a 

 description of eight valuable coins belonging to the reign of Mahmud Shah I. 

 of Bengal. Four of the latter were also received from Mr. Westmacott, 

 and the other four from Mr. C. J. O'Donnell, 0. S. They were all found 

 in Mahasthan, near Bagura (Bogra). The chronology of the reign of Mah- 

 mud Shah, which was hitherto one of the most obscure periods of Bengal 

 history, becomes gradually settled, coins and inscriptions having yielded the 

 dates A. H. 846, 852, 858, 861, 862, 863. 



Mr. Westmacott's Barbak Shah inscription appears to be of 865 

 A. H. The other inscription gives the name of Ghiyasuddin Abul Muzaffar 

 Jalal Shah, son of Muhammad Shah Ghazi, and the year 960. The year 

 shews how unsatisfactory the chronology is of the Afghan period of Bengal 

 History. 



The paper will be published in No. Ill of Part I of the Journal. 



10. The Bdrah Bhuyahs of Bengal. No. II. — By Dr. James 

 Wise. 



(Abstract.) 

 This short note is a continuation of Dr. Wise's essay on the Barah 

 Bhuyahs, or Twelve Lords, of Bengal, published in last year's Journal (p. 



* Another extraordinary embankment is due south from Sherpur Murchah (15 

 miles south of Bagura). rt extends for about 8 miles, when it turns at a right angle to 

 the west for about sixteen miles. It is also marked on Sheet 119 of the Indian Atlas. 



