560 Further information regarding [Nov. 



The inscription on the stone is in a character that resembles the 

 writing of the Rajputs of the Himalaya mountains in the present day, 

 It has also a resemblance to the Ethiopian ; an J it is well known, that 

 there existed from time immemorial a communication between Egypt and 

 India. I am surprised that my friend General Ventura, did not find an 

 inscription on the stone in the principal deposit of the large tope. On 

 my way to Peshdvar, I lately visited the scene of his operations, and 

 searched carefully among the ruins for any such, but without success. 

 This cupola was penetrated by him from above. When the cap was 

 removed, a square shaft was found of 21 feet deep and 12 feet side, 

 well constructed of squared stones. On the floor of this chamber there 

 were two massive stones, between which was deposited a small box 

 (see page 315). The floor itself was formed of two enormous stones, 

 which were broken to pieces with some trouble before the digging 

 could be continued below. The difficulties were much increased from 

 this point by the frequent occurrence of large blocks of stone locked 

 into the body of the masonry without mortar, which it was necessary 

 to extract by the upper vent. At 27 feet below the first stage, a 

 second was met with, of a less perfect nature, wherein a second disco- 

 very was made : — below this, again, before reaching the ground, the 

 most interesting discovery occurred. Hence the miners worked a 

 conduit underground, on the side towards the village of Manikyala, 

 which facilitated greatly the extraction of materials. This adit is now 

 nearly closed up with rubbish, and can only be entered on all fours. 



As the relics found in this cupola have been addressed by my friend 

 to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, I refrain from any observations on 

 them. I will only remark, that the emblem on the gold medals of 

 Manikyala, as well as on those of my topes, may be observed in Persia 

 with some slight difference, on the sculptures at Bistaun, near Ker- 

 manshah ; I think also, the same symbol exists at Persepolis. I can with 

 confidence assert that the monogram ytf exists on the bas-relief of the 

 gate of the ancient castle of Shastar in Susiana. 



I have observed that most of the cupolas of Manikyala are situated on 

 the ridges of sandstone rock which cross up from the surface of the 

 country. 



The neighbourhood is generally strewed with ruins, and traces of 

 a square building can generally be perceived, in the immediate 

 vicinity, of similar construction to that of a Persian caravanserai. If 

 these monuments are the remains of temples, there can be no doubt, 

 that Manikyala must have been the principal seat of the religion 

 of the country. The ruins of the town itself are of very consider- 

 able extent : — every where, on digging, massive walls of solid stone 



