J898.] M. A. Stein — Arcliseological tour with the BunBr Field Force. HI 



Another place of importance for the ancient topography of Baner 

 is nrjdoubtedly the site near the present Sunigram. This village which 

 bears an old Hiudu name, occupies a position on the right bank of the 

 Baraudu B,iver where it enters the broad open portion of the valley 

 known as Panjpau. To the South of the village rises a high mound of 

 rough masonry which must have once formed a Stiipa of at least 150 

 feet diameter. Close by is a remarkably well preserved ancient well with 

 stairs leading down to the water. On a rocky ridge above the village 

 and overlooking the valley are the comparatively well preserved ruins 

 of a large monastery, built partly on high walled-up terraces. The 

 Walls and vaulted roofs of the several halls are of massive construction? 

 and have stood the test of time and of other destructive agencies 

 better than any other old buildings examined in Buuer. Unfortunately? 

 treasure seekers have been at work here too The Stupa in front of 

 the monastery has been dug into long ago, evidently for the sake of 

 the relics deposited below it. 



This fate has overtaken also the fine Stupa which stands near 

 the village of Takhtahand, a short distance to the east of Sunigram. It 

 still reaches to a height of over 50 feet from the ground. A broad 

 cutting has been made to the centre of this mass of masonry and 

 through its whole height. 



All the Stupas and other important structures were carefully 

 measured with the help of the Surveyor supplied to me from the 

 Public Works Department, and their plans will be given in the Report I 

 am now preparing. It is very probable that some of these structures 

 must be connected with the several sacred Buddhist sites which are 

 mentioned by the Chinese pilgrims, in particular Hiuen Thsiang, as 

 situated at some distance to the south of Mungali, the old Capital of 

 Swat, the present Manglaur. The survey now made of them will thus 

 help to establish with greater certainty the ancient topography of the 

 regions once comprised in Udyana. 



The rapid surrender of the Buner tribes and of those of the neigh- 

 'bouring Chamla valley had made a further advance to the east towards 

 the Indus unnecessary. The early withdrawal of the force by the route 

 of the Ambela Pass deprived me of the opportunity I had eagerly hoped 

 for, to visit the heights of Mount Mahaban. It has always appeared to 

 me that of the various locations suggested for Alexander's Aornos, that 

 proposed by the late G-eneral Abbott who identified that famous strong- 

 hold with Mount Mahaban, was by far the most probable. But 

 without a close examination of the actual topography of that mountain 

 whicli has not yet been surveyed, no decisive evidence can be expected. 

 If Mahaban itself remained still inaccessible T had at least the 



