186 On the Antiquities of Mainpuri. [No. 8^ 



Fig. 1 is the small enclosed shrine, huilt with squared kankar 

 blocks. 



Fig. 2 is a more recent capital. 



Fig. 3 is a very singular capital, for a round pillar 11 inches in 

 diameter^ in which the ancient cruciform shape is retained. 



Fig. 4 is an odd ornament, curious but ineffective. It must have 

 been placed over a window. 



Fig. 5 is an extremely handsome ornament of the same kind for 

 placing over a window or niche. 



Fig. 6 is a portion of the ornament always found in the projecting 

 faces of old Hindu temples, the form of the capitals is singular, whilst 

 the " viraja" or jewel of Buddha thus set, has become a flower, subse- 

 quently often used in ornamentation. 



Fig. 7 is a portion of a similar ornament. The form of the capital 

 resembles some seen at the cave temples, and is essentially Buddhist 

 in design. 



Nonaird. This large and ancient village stands on a very extensive 

 mound which rises from the plain to a height of about 40 feet. It is 

 perhaps 1J miles north of the Grand Trunk Road, and about the 

 same distance from the Police Post and Canal Chauki of Dkanahar, 

 and nine miles from Mainpuri. 



The name savours of " salt," and we find that until quite recently, 

 from very ancient times, there was a large saltpetre manufactory at 

 this place. Doubtless salt was also formerly made, and hence the 

 name from " nun," salt and " nonaira," salt-maker. Although the 

 mound is so extensive, there is no marsh or " jhil" around the vil- 

 lage. It would seeui to have silted up, and the lands are now 

 watered by a branch of the Granges canal. 



On the eastern spur of the mound, I, as usual, found the traces of the 

 foundations of an ancient religious building ; whilst to the north stands 

 the fort, in the construction of which have doubtless been employed 

 most of its materials, as remains of heavy cornices were seen crop- 

 ping out of the foundations. 



Enough, however, remained to shew that there had been a small 

 Buddhist " chaitya" with a Jain ceiling. I subjoin a few drawings, 

 (Plate VIII.) and would draw attention to Fig. 1, which represents the 

 boar incarnation of Vishnu, or the " Varaha-avatar." He is accompanied 



